COMMANDING OFFICER:  

CAPT  DAVID J. CASTEEL, USN

Captain Casteel is a native of Bartlett, TN.  He graduated from Duke University in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.  After commissioning, he attended flight training in Pensacola, FL where he earned his Naval Flight Officer wings in January 2000.
 
His operational assignments include tours as both a Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) in the F-14 Tomcat and a Weapons Systems Officer (WSO) in the FA-18 Hornet and Super Hornet.  He served with the “Jolly Rogers” of Fighter Squadron ONE ZERO THREE (VF-103) on two deployments aboard the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON       (CVN 73) and the USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV 67).  While deployed, he participated in Operations SOUTHERN WATCH, ENDURING FREEDOM, and IRAQI FREEDOM.  As an operational Department Head, he served with the “Diamondbacks” of Strike Fighter Squadron ONE ZERO TWO (VFA-102) in NAS Atsugi, Japan, deploying three times on the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73) in support of the Forward Deployed Naval Forces (FDNF).  His last operational tour returned him to the “Jolly Rogers” as Executive and Commanding Officer where he made a historic deployment aboard the USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN 75) for Operation INHERENT RESOLVE.

Captain Casteel’s shore assignments include the “Dust Devils” of Test and Evaluation Squadron THREE ONE (VX-31) and NORAD-U.S. Northern Command.  His most recent shore duty brought him to Millington, TN, as Assistant Commander Navy Personnel Command for Career Progression (PERS-8) and Commanding Officer of Enlisted Staff/Executive Assistant to Commander Navy Personnel Command.  In June 2021, he took command of the NROTC unit at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

He has completed education at the United States Naval Test Pilot School, Air Force Institute of Technology, Naval War College, and Joint Forces Staff College.

CAPT Casteel has accumulated over 2,700 hours in 25 types of aircraft.  His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Strike/Flight Air Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, and Navy Achievement Medal along with numerous unit, campaign, and service awards.  He and his spouse of 23 years reside in Mahomet, IL.