Commander Chris “Cathy” Eckel, a native of King George, VA, graduated with honors from Virginia Tech in 2009, earning a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps. He reported to NAS Pensacola, FL for flight training and earned his wings of gold in December 2011. CDR Eckel reported to the HSC-2 “Fleet Angels” for initial fleet training as an MH-60S pilot. 

His operational flying began in September 2012 with the “Tridents” of HSC-9. During his time as a Trident he deployed aboard USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH (CVN 77), participating in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and the opening stages of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE. 

From 2019 to 2021, CDR Eckel served as the Tactics Officer for HSC-6, the “Screamin’ Indians”. While with the Screamin’ Indians, he completed a record-long deployment during the COVID-19 pandemic aboard USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, Operation FREEDOM SENTINEL, and Operation OCTAVE QUARTZ, additionally serving as both Training Officer and Administrative Officer.  

For his Department Head assignment, CDR Eckel served with the “Chargers” of HSC-14 from 2021 to 2023, where he was the Administrative Officer, Training Officer, and Maintenance Officer. He completed a WESTPAC deployment aboard USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72) in 2022, supporting various joint and combined operations in 7th Fleet including the 2022 Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise.

CDR Eckel’s shore assignments include the Rotary Wing Weapons School, SEAWOLF, within the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center at NAS Fallon, Nevada. He graduated with the Seahawk Weapons and Tactics Instructor course 02-15 and remained on staff as a SEAWOLF Instructor and Mountain Flying Instructor. While assigned to SEAWOLF, he was the community's strafe weapons and crew served weapon employment subject matter expert, completing overhauls to their tactics, techniques, and procedures. Following his department head tour, he attended the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, RI, graduating with distinction and earned a Master of Arts in Defense and Strategic Studies in March 2025.

CDR Eckel has accumulated over 2,400 flight hours and has been awarded the Navy Commendation Medal (3), the Navy Achievement Medal, and various unit and campaign awards.

Last Updated: 3 March 2026