About Commander Doug “Spooner” Hale, US Navy (ret)

A native of Arlington, Virginia, Commander Hale graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2001, earning a bachelor’s degree in political science. He reported to Pensacola, Florida for flight training and was designated a naval aviator in August 2003.

 

Commander Hale’s operational assignments include tours with Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron 15 (HS-15), Carrier Strike Group 1 (CSG-1), HSC-15, and USS KEARSARGE. At HS-15, he deployed twice to the Middle East in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. First, aboard USS KENNEDY (CV-67), with Carrier Air Wing 17, followed by the first ever Naval Air Ambulance Detachment based in Camp Buehring, Kuwait, providing medical evacuation in southern Iraq.

 

While serving as Flag Aide to CSG-1, embarked on USS CARL VINSON (CVN-72), he deployed twice more. First, in support of Operation UNIFIED RESPONSE, the humanitarian mission after the earthquake in Haiti in 2010. Commander Hale’s follow-on deployment was back to the Middle East in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in 2011 supporting operations in Afghanistan.

 

Commander Hale returned to HS-15 for his department head tour during which the squadron transitioned to the MH-60S helicopter becoming HSC-15. The “Red Lions” were the first squadron on the west coast to have the fixed forward firing weapons systems. HSC-15 deployed in 2014 in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE aboard USS CARL VINSON, a combat deployment during the counter-ISIS fight in the northern Arabian Gulf.

 

Ashore, Commander Hale served as a Fleet Replacement Squadron instructor pilot at HS-10 during which he volunteered to deploy to the Combined Air & Space Operations Center (CAOC) at Al Udeid, Air Force Base in Qatar. There he served as a watch stander in the Joint Personnel Recovery Center. In 2016, Commander Hale reported to the Pentagon on the Joint Staff, J-5, Strategic Plans & Policy Directorate, where he served as the Iraq country desk officer during the counter-ISIS fight.

 

In August 2018, Commander Hale reported to the Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Center, Jacksonville (FACSFACJAX), where he served as Executive Officer, then Commanding Officer until 2021. From 2021 to 2023, he served as Air Boss aboard USS KEARSARGE where he deployed to the Baltic with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit.

 

Commander Hale is a graduate of the Naval War College, earning a M.A. in National Security, and from the University of San Diego with a M.A. in Project Management. Commander Hale has accumulated over 2,200 flight hours and awarded the Defense Meritorious Service medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Commendation Medal, Army Commendation medal, the Navy & Marine Corps Commendation medal and various unit and campaign awards.

 

Commander Hale retired in December 2023 after more than 22 years of naval service. He lives in Ortega Forest with his wife, Katie, and their three children: Clare (14), Jack (12) and Lydia (9). He now works at Merrill Lynch as a Financial Advisor in Ponte Vedra Beach.