Capt. Dan Keeler is a native of Long Beach, California. He graduated with merit from the United States Naval Academy in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science in political science. Following flight training in Pensacola, Florida and Corpus Christi, Texas, he was designated a naval aviator in 2000. He received his Executive Master of Business Administration from the Naval Postgraduate School in 2006 and completed Naval Nuclear Power training in 2019.

Keeler assumed command of USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) June 18, 2025. 

His operational assignments include tours with Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Five (HC 5), USS Peleliu (LHA 5), Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 21 (HSC 21), and USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). He commanded Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Four (HSC 4), USS Anchorage (LPD 23) and most recently Amphibious Squadron One (CPR 1). During those tours, he completed nine deployments aboard multiple ships including the USS Essex (LHD 2), USNS Niagara Falls (T-AFS 3), USNS Concord, (T-AFS 5), USS Peleliu, USS George Washington (CVN 73), USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), USS Theodore Roosevelt and USS Anchorage. During his department head tour, he also completed one deployment as Officer-in-Charge of the 2515th Naval Air Ambulance Detachment in Camp Buehring, Kuwait. During those ten deployments, he participated in Operations Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn, and Enduring Freedom. He has accumulated over 2,750 flight hours, primarily in the MH-60S helicopter.

Capt. Keeler’s shore assignments include tours as a Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) instructor pilot at Helicopter Sea Combat Three (HSC-3) and as a protocol officer to the 18th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin E. Dempsey. He completed a Federal Executive Fellowship at the Brookings Institution in 2018.

His personal awards include the Legion of Merit (2), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2), Air Medal (strike/flight), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3), Army Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3) as well as numerous campaign and unit awards.

 

Last Updated: 18 June 2025