Captain Hans K. Croeber
Captain Croeber graduated from Montrose High School in Montrose, Colorado in 1982, and then attended Auburn University and graduated in 1986 with a degree from the School of Engineering in Aviation Management. He was commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy upon graduation.
Captain Croeber attended helicopter flight training in Pensacola, Florida and was designated a Naval Aviator in 1988. He completed fleet replacement squadron training for the SH-3 helicopter in Jacksonville, Florida and reported to Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Two (HC-2) in Norfolk, Virginia in March 1989.
At HC-2, Captain Croeber completed deployments with the Desert Ducks in Manama, Bahrain and the Grey Ghost aboard USS BELKNAP (CG-26), served as Schedules Officer, Detachment Operations Officer, Assistant Administration Officer and Quality Assurance Officer.
In February 1992, Captain Croeber reported to HC-1 in San Diego, California as an SH-3 FRS instructor and served as the Quality Assurance Officer and Detachment Officer in Charge for detachments aboard the USS CORONADO (AGF-11) and San Clemente Island.
Captain Croeber reported to Amphibious Warfare School in Quantico Virginia in July 1993. Upon completion of training, he reported aboard USS WASP (LHD-1) in Norfolk and served as Handler and Assistant Air Officer from July 1994 to June 1996. He made deployments to Haiti, Norway, and the Mediterranean and earned his Officer of the Deck (Underway) qualification.
In June 1996, Captain Croeber reported to Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. He earned a Master of Science degree in Management after completing the Transportation Management curriculum.
Captain Croeber returned to HC-2 for his Department Head tour in April of 1998. He served as the Officer in Charge of the Desert Ducks in Manama Bahrain until February 1999 and the Squadron Maintenance Officer until December 1999.
In January 2000, Captain Croeber reported to Commander, Operational Test and Evaluation Force in Norfolk Virginia, as the Lead Aviation Analyst.
In September 2004, Captain Croeber reported to HC-2 as the Executive Officer and assumed command of the FLEET ANGELS in January 2006. In May 2007, Captain Croeber reported to USS BATAAN as the Air Officer. In July 2008 he assumed duties as the Executive Officer onboard USS BATAAN.
In August 2009, Captain Croeber reported to the Board of Inspections and Survey and assumed duties as Director of Communications.
Captain Croeber’s personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with two Stars, the Air Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two Gold Stars, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with one Gold Star. He has over 2,500 flight hours in numerous fleet and training aircraft.