CDR Jeremiah “IKEA” Caldwell commissioned into the United States Navy in 2009 as a Graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA. He was an ROTC Midshipman and member of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets. Before being winged as a 1310 Naval Aviator, he completed aviation training at NAS Pensacola, NAS Whiting Primary Flight Training (VT-2), NAS Kingsville Intermediate Flight Training and Initial Carrier Qualification (VT-21), and NAS Corpus Christi Advance Multi-engine Training (VT-31) before proceeding to the Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) and qualifying to fly the E-2 Hawkeye at NS Norfolk.  He was assigned to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron ONE ONE THREE (VAW-113) as a Lieutenant in 2013. 

VAW-113, assigned to Carrier Air Wing TWO (CVW-2) and both the USS RONALD REAGAN and USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, completed three FRTP cycles, two RIMPAC exercises, and Operation SOUTHERN SEAS. CDR Caldwell served as the Legal Officer, Line Division Officer, and Aviation Safety Officer while also earning his qualification as a Landing Signals Officer (LSO) and Wing Qualification for Carrier Air Wing TWO. He earned his Carrier Aircraft Plane Commander (CAPC) and Level 4 Instructor Pilot, flying over 2600 mishap-free hours and more than 190 arrested landings.

He was then assigned in 2016 to the FRS, VAW-120 as an Instructor Pilot. He served as the Aviation Safety Officer, E-2D Training Officer, and Carrier Qualification Phase Head. After his promotion to Lieutenant Commander in 2019, he continued flying at VAW-120 while simultaneously working as a LSO Instructor at the LSO School at NAS Oceana, where he was the LSO NATOPS Program Manager and Arrested Recovery Bulletin SME. 

CDR Caldwell was assigned in 2020 as a Department Head to VAW-117, attached to CVW-7 and the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN. There he served as Administrative Officer and Maintenance Officer, was the Senior Pilot through a full FRTP cycle, and earned his Strike Lead qualification during 2021 COMPTUEX. VAW-117 deployed to the INDOPACOM AOR during the 2022 LINCOLN deployment.

He was then assigned to HQ USEUCOM as a Joint Planner (J35/J3X) in Stuttgart, Germany. In his role as a Joint Operational Planner in the J35 Special Operations Branch and J3X Sensitive Activities branch, he planned for contingency and crisis operations in the EUCOM AOR as well as leading a planning team for future operations with SOCOM equities in the AOR to deter and degrade adversary capabilities while advancing current and future OPLAN and CONPLAN effectiveness.

CDR Caldwell is currently assigned to the Forward Deployed Naval Forces, CVW-5, VAW-125 “Tiger Tails” in Iwakuni, Japan as the Executive Officer.

CDR Caldwell earned a B.A. in International Studies from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. He is a graduate of U.S. Navy Flight Training, Legal Officer Course, Aviation Safety School, LSO School, and a qualified Advanced Multi-engine, Instrument Instructor. His military awards are all due to the efforts of the Officers, Chiefs, and Sailors who helped him and include: the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, and Expert Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon.

CDR Caldwell has been married to Alex Caldwell née Rose of Raleigh, North Carolina since 2012, and together they have three children: daughter Mildred Adeline (age 11), daughter Lachlan Brett (age 10), and son Charles Walter (age 8).