CDR RYAN T. KEYS
Commanding Officer
A native of Fremont, California, Commander Keys graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in English. He earned his naval aviator wings at NAS Whiting Field, Milton, Florida in October 1997 and completed initial training as a H-60F/H pilot at Helantisubron TEN in 1998.
Commander Keys reported to Helantisubron Three in August 1998 for his initial sea tour. He participated in Strike Group workups and deployed with Carrier Air Wing Eight onboard USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71) in support of Operation Noble Anvil (Kosovo 1999) and Operation Southern Watch. Commander Keys again participated in workups, deployed aboard USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) in April 2001 and took part in the UK's Joint Maritime Course (JMC). on September 11, 2001, the ENTERPRISE Strike Group reversed its intended course and commenced Operation Enduring Freedom against Taliban Forces. He held such jobs as Schedules, Avionics/Armament Division, NATOPS and Quality Assurance Officer
In January 2002, Commander Keys became an Instructor Pilot at Helantisubon TEN, the Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) for his first shore duty. He flew in excess of 700 hours completing more than 170 instructional events directly contributing to the squadron winning the 2003 Theodore G. Ellyson aviator production excellence award. While at HS-10, he qualified as a Seahawk Weapons and Tactics Instructor (SWTI) at the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center, Fallon, NV. He worked as the Schedules, Quality Assurance and Standardization Officer.
His next assignment was to the Staff of Commander, Strike Force Training Atlantic. In 2004, Commander Keys took over as the Assistant Air Operations Officer responsible for the coordination of operations during all East Coast Composite Training Unit Excercises (COMPTUEX). He was directly responsible for planning and evaluating over 24 Combat Search and Rescue Exercises during four COMPTUEX's.
Commander Keys screened for Department Head and reported to the Nightdippers of Helantisubron FIVE. He reported to Carrier Air Wing Seven during deployment while the Eisenhower Strike Group was conducting Operation Enduring Freedom from December 2006 to May 2007. After completing the Fleet Response Training Plan, Commander Keys deployed again with the EISENHOWER Strike Group in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from February 2009 to May 2009. He served as the Administration, Standardization-Training-ORM, Maintenence and Operation Department Heads. Commander Keys also received th Navy & Marine Association 2008 Leadership Commander , Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Atlantic Detachment Jacksonville.
Commander Keys reported to Air War College for Senior Service School in July 2009 earning a Master's of Strategic Studies and Joint Proffesional Military Education Phase II. Following his time at the Air War colleg, CDR Keys reported to HS-11 as Executive Officer in April 2001 while on deployment to the 5th Fleet AOR. He assumed command of HS-11 in July 2012.
Commander Keys' awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation medal (2 gold stars) , Navy amd Marine Corps Achievement Medal (1 gold star), Navy Unit Commendation (1 bronze star), Meritorius Unit Commendation (3 bronzestars), Battle 'E', National Defense Medal (1 bronze star) Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (1 bronze star), Kosovo Campaign Medal, GWOT Service Medal, Gwot Expeditionary Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (6 bronze stars), NATO Medal, Expert Rifle and Pistols Medals, and Basic Parachutist Wings. He has also accumulated over 3,300 flight hours in the H-60F/H and has held every qualification/designation in the platform.