Commander Carolyn Peterson, a native of Nashville, Tennessee, graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with B.S. in Aerospace.  In 2004, she commissioned as an Ensign, reported to Pensacola, Florida for flight training and earned her Wings of Gold in 2006.  She holds a Master’s of Science in Aeronautics: Safety Systems and completed the Air Force Air Command and Staff College JPME Phase 1.

Peterson’s operational tours include HSL-44 “Swamp Foxes” in the SH-60B Seahawk and HSM-70 “Spartans” in the MH-60R Seahawk.  She executed deployments onboard USS MONTEREY (CG 61), USS SIMPSON (FFG 51), USS HUE CITY (CG 66), and USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH (CVN 77), supporting FIFTH and SIXTH FLEET area of operations.
  
Ashore, she served as a SH-60B Instructor Pilot and Commander, Naval Air Forces SH-60B Naval Air Training Operating and Procedures Standardization Model Manager at HSM-40 “Airwolves.” Post instructor tour, she served as the Helicopter Initial Shore Assignments Officer and Graduate Education Officer (PERS-43) at Navy Personnel Command in Millington, Tennessee. She also served as a Joint Action Officer in the J-5 Plans and Policy Directorate for Alaskan Command (ALCOM) in Anchorage, Alaska.
 
Peterson commanded the “Valkyries” of HSM-50, serving as the first commanding officer of the newest MH-60R squadron on the east coast.  She established the Valkyries as an expeditionary MH-60R squadron capable of forward deploying detachments on aviation, air capable, and littoral combat ships.

In July 2024, she assumed the duties as Deputy Executive Assistant for the Vice Chief of Naval Operations following a nine month tour in the Air Warfare Directorate (N98), OPNAV Staff, as Naval Aviation’s MH-60R Requirements Officer.
 
Commander Peterson’s personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), Joint Achievement Medal, the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various unit and service awards. 
 

Last Updated: 18 July 2025