LCDR Douglas L. Kay, USN
An Airboss Perspective: Manned/Unmanned/LCS for the First time.
LCDR Douglas L. Kay, USN – Operations Officer HSM-35 / Airboss LCS-3
Lieutenant Commander Kay serves as the Operations Officer for the Magicians of HELICOPTER MARITIME STRIKE SQUADRON THREE-FIVE, the first combined manned and unmanned aviation squadron in the Navy. He just recently returned as the Officer in Charge of the HSM-35 DET ONE “Pathfinders” deployed on board the USS Fort Worth (LCS-3) for the first Surface Warefare Mission Package Deployment, employing both the MH-60R and the MQ-8B Firescout. Previously he has served as an instructor pilot in the MH-60R Seahawk and an Aircraft Launch and Recovery Officer “Shooter” on the USS Carl Vinson. LCDR Kay has logged 1700 Hours with 700 Aircraft Commander hours in the SH-60B and MH-60R. (Ed. LCDR Kay will be assisted by his C.O. CDR Falgout.)
About the Squadron’s Skipper:
CDR Chad M. Falgout, USN
CDR CHAD M. FALGOUT USN
COMMANDING OFFICER
HELICOPTER MARITIME STRIKE SQUADRON THREE FIVE
CDR Chad Falgout was raised in Hahnville, Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans, before attending Louisiana State University Baton Rouge where he graduated with a degree in Mathematics in 1996. He received his commission via the Naval Reserve Officer’s Training Corps Unit at Southern A & M University. CDR Falgout earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration Management (Naval Postgraduate School, Executive MBA Program, CDR Falgout entered aviation pipeline training and received his aviator warfare pin May 1998 through Advanced Helicopter training at NAS Whiting Field, Milton, Florida. CDR Falgout completed his first operational tour with the “Warlords” of HELICOPTER ANTISUBMARINE SQUADRON LIGHT FIVE-ONE, Atsugi, Japan and then reported to Milton, Florida where he served as Helicopter Instructor, HELICOPTER TRAINING SQUADRON EIGHTEEN.
In December 2004, CDR Falgout reported to Pre-Commissioning Unit MESA VERDE (LPD 19) at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, MS where he served as Air Officer Department Head.
CDR Falgout then completed his Operational Department Head tour with the “Easy Riders” of HELICOPTER ANTISUBMARINE SQUADRON LIGHT THREE-SEVEN February 2007. He served as Detachment Officer-In-Charge and deployed with USS REUBEN JAMES (FFG 57) in support of OEF-Philippines. He also served as Safety Officer, Quality Assurance Officer, and Maintenance Officer during his tour with HSL-37.
CDR Falgout most recently served as Joint Action Officer with Theater Special Operations CommandPacific for CDRUSPACOM at Camp Smith, Oahu. During his Joint Duty tour CDR Falgout completed JPME Phase II at the Joint & Combined Warfighting School (JCWS) Norfolk, Virginia. He is currently assigned as Commanding Officer with the “Magicians” of HELICOPTER MARITIME STRIKE SQUADRON THREE-FIVE. CDR Falgout has logged over 3000 hours in the MH60R, SH60B and TH57 helicopters.
CDR Falgout has been awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation and Achievement Medals in addition to other unit awards.
