A native of Carrollton, TX, Commander Safford graduated from Austin College in 2000, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration.  CDR Safford enlisted in 2004 and entered Aviation Aircrew/Rescue Swimmer School onboard NAS Pensacola.  Upon graduation, he reported to the “Warlords” of HSL-51 where he was a Crew Chief for the SH-60F flying off the flagship USS BLUE RIDGE for COMMANDER SEVENTH FLEET’s transport detachment from 2006-2008.  He subsequently commissioned through Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI and returned to NAS Pensacola, FL for flight training in August 2008. He earned his Naval Aviator “Wings of Gold” in August of 2010 and reported the next month to the “Seahawks” of HSM-41 for initial fleet training in the MH-60R.
 
CDR Safford joined the “Spartans” of HSM-70 in 2011 on their maiden deployment onboard USS GEORGE H. W. BUSH (CVN 77).  Later, he served as the Detachment Maintenance Officer for DET 1, DET 3, and DET 4 aboard USS PHILIPPINE SEA (CG 58), USS TRUXTUN (DDG 103), and USS ROOSEVELT (DDG 80) respectively. Commander Safford finished his tour as the Quality Assurance Officer for HSM-70’s second deployment onboard USS GEORGE H. W. BUSH supporting operations in FIFTH FLEET.

In September of 2014, he reported to the “Airwolves” of HSM-40 as an FRS Instructor Pilot where he ultimately served as the Assistant Training Officer charged with grooming Fleet Replacement Pilots and Aircrewmen in MH-60R tactics and procedures.  In July 2017, he joined the USS BOXER (LHD 4) as the V-1 Division Officer and Assistant Air Officer where he earned his Officer of the Deck qualification.  

CDR Safford returned to the fleet as a Department Head with the “Raptors” of HSM-71 as the Safety, Training, and later, Operations Officer, where he was selected as the Officer of the Year in 2021.  He completed his Joint Tour at United States Strategic Command where he served as a Nuclear Procedures Evaluator for COMMANDER, USSTRATCOM.

CDR Safford has logged over 2300 hours in various naval aircraft and holds a Master of Finance degree from Creighton University.  His awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal (2 awards), the Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3 awards), and various joint and unit commendation medals.