From San Diego, CA, CAPT Noel J. Dahlke graduated in 1994 from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and was commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy through the NROTC program. In May 1996 LTJG Dahlke earned his wings as a Naval Flight Officer (NFO) and reported to the S-3B Viking Fleet Replacement Squadron, VS-41 “Shamrocks,” in San Diego, Calif. for initial training From 1997-2000, he was assigned to VS-21 “Redtails” embarked on USS
Independence (CV 62) and USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) as part of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) FIVE based out of Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan. There he served as the NFO Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization (NATOPS) Officer and qualified as a Level IV Mission Commander. In June 2000, he rejoined VS-41 as an instructor, fleet NATOPS evaluator and curriculum model manager.
In 2002, LT Dahlke served on the flag staff of Commander Carrier Strike Group SEVEN as the Strike Ops Officer, deploying aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). He then attended the Naval Postgraduate School at Monterey, Calif. and graduated in June 2005. From 2005 to 2008, LCDR Dahlke completed his Department Head tour with VS-31 “Topcats.” He deployed once again aboard USS John C. Stennis with CVW NINE, where he qualified as a Command Duty Officer Underway and as Col L. Mills a CVW NINE Maritime Strike Lead. He has over 600 carrier arrested landings in S- 3B Vikings.
For his joint assignment, he reported to the Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS), Honolulu, HI in February 2008 where he served as Operations/Action Officer for the Transnational Security curriculum. While assigned to APCSS, he screened for operational command. He commanded Patrol Squadron (VP) 26 “Tridents” from May 2011-May 2012 and during this time he deployed once again to the 5th Fleet AOR supporting Operations New Dawn and Enduring Freedom as CTG 57.1/57.2. During this tour, the Tridents were awarded readiness and retention awards to include the Battle E. He has logged over 3,100 flight hours in P-3C and S-3B model aircraft.
For his post command tour, he reported to Naval Mine and ASW Command in San Diego, Calif. as the Director for Undersea Warfare Exercise Development and OPFOR and Air ASW trainer/assessor. His most recent tour was as Deputy Commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa and Southwest Asia, located at Naval Support Activity Bahrain.
CAPT Dahlke’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Meritorious Service Medal (2), Navy Commendation Medal (2), Navy Achievement Medal (3) and various theater deployment service medals, ribbons and leadership awards, including the Commander, Naval Air Force Senior Leadership Award – 2007 and S-3B NFO of the Year – 2007. He holds a MBA from Naval Postgraduate School Monterey, CA with a Financial Management subspecialty. He also earned his Joint Professional Military Education Phase I and is a graduate of the APCSS Advanced Security Cooperation Course with an East Asia subspecialty.
