A native of Durham, New Hampshire, Commander Halliwell graduated from The Pennsylvania State University in 2009, earning a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering. CDR Halliwell was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Program and reported to NAS Pensacola, FL for flight training in October 2009. He earned his designation as a Naval Aviator in March 2012. In April 2012, CDR Halliwell reported to VAW-120 the “Greyhawks” for initial fleet training as an E-2C Hawkeye pilot.

CDR Halliwell began his operational flying in May 2013 with the “Screwtops” of VAW 123. While a “Screwtop," he filled a manning gap and deployed with a sister squadron, VAW-126 the “Seahawks,” and Carrier Air Wing THREE (CVW-3) aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. During his tour with the “Screwtops” CDR Halliwell served as the squadron legal officer, line division officer, and the pilot Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization (NATOPS) officer.

Following his first sea tour, CDR Halliwell reported to the “Greyhawks” of VAW-120 in June 2016 as an instructor pilot. While serving with the “Greyhawks” CDR Halliwell earned additional instructor qualifications in the E-2C Hawkeye 2000 and the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye. He served as the E-2C NATOPS Program Manager and oversaw the safety and training programs for the entire E-2C fleet of eight squadrons on both the East and West Coasts.

CDR Halliwell returned to the fleet as a Department Head in VAW-124, the “Bear Aces". While with the "Bear Aces," he completed multiple underway periods aboard USS Gerald R Ford (CVN 78) with Carrier Air Wing EIGHT (CVW-8) in preparation for the USS Gerald R. Ford’s (CVN 78) first operational deployment. While at VAW-124 CDR Halliwell served as the squadron safety and maintenance officer. As the maintenance officer, he oversaw the squadron's Type Model Series transition from the E-2C to the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye.

Following his department head tour, CDR Halliwell served as a Congressional Appropriations Liaison, for the office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy Financial Management and Comptroller. While acting as a Congressional Liaison he was directly involved in the justification for Congressional oversight of the Navy's flying hour program.  He was selected for squadron command in March 2023 and will assume the duties of Executive Officer at VAW-116 the "Sun Kings."

CDR Halliwell has accumulated over 2,100 flight hours in the E-2 Hawkeye and over 100 carrier-arrested landings.  His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (Individual Action), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), and various service awards and ribbons.