Commander Jacob King

CDR Jacob King, a native of Mount Airy, MD, graduated in 2006 from University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering, commissioned via the Seaman to Admiral program, and was designated a Naval Aviator in 2008.

From 2002 to 2003, he served as an Electronics Technician aboard USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) for two U.S. 5th fleet deployments during Operation Iraqi Freedom. His first operational flying tour was with the HS 14 “Chargers” where he deployed three times to U.S. 7th Fleet aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) supporting Operation Enduring Freedom and several multi-national exercises. In 2011, he flew humanitarian assistance/disaster relief missions during Operation Tomodachi following the Great Sendai earthquake and was named HS 14 Pilot of the Year and CVW-5 Carrier Aviator of the Year.

In 2012, CDR King was selected to attend U.S. Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS). In 2014, he graduated with distinction from Class 146 and earned a Master of Science in Systems Engineering from Naval Postgraduate School. He reported to HX-21 in 2015, where he served as H 60 Operations Officer, developmental test pilot for SH 60F, HH 60H, MH 60R, and MH 60S helicopters, and project officer for aircraft survivability equipment, identification friend or foe, multi spectral targeting system, and DDG-1000 compatibility.

CDR King returned to operational duty from 2017 to 2020 as a department head with the “Battle Cats” of HSM 73. There he served as Detachment Officer in Charge, Safety Officer, and Operations Officer while embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt, USS Halsey, and USS Nimitz during deployments to U.S. 5th and 7th Fleets in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel and Operation Inherent Resolve. In 2019, he was selected as HSM 73 Officer of the Year and winner of the Commander, Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing Pacific “Moose” Donovan Officer Leadership award.

From 2020 to 2022, CDR King served as Rotary Wing Operational Test Director at VX-1, where he led follow on test and evaluation of CMV 22B, MH 60R/S, and MQ 8B/C platforms, to include integrated test of the Fire Scout Surface Warfare Increment, MH-60R radar performance, and countermeasure effectiveness for common carriage expendables. In 2022, he earned a Master of Science in Operations Research from Georgia Institute of Technology and began serving as Assistant Program Manager, Systems Engineering (Class Desk) for PMA-299 where he supported over 500 MH 60R/S helicopters deployed worldwide, including 11 Foreign Military Sales customers. He was selected for test squadron command in 2023 and reported to USNTPS as Executive Officer in June 2024.

CDR King has accumulated 2,300 mishap-free flight hours in all Navy H-60 series and 25 other type model aircraft. He holds Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) Practitioner certifications in Program Management and Test & Evaluation. His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various unit and campaign commendations.