CAPT Gabriel M. Kelly

Past COMMODORE, TACTICAL AIR CONTROL GROUP ONE (CTG 1)

17 August 2022 A native of Monterey, CA, CAPT Kelly is a 1999 graduate of the United States Naval Academy and he holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science. 

Upon commissioning, CAPT Kelly reported to flight school in Pensacola, FL for flight training.  In January of 2000 he reported aboard VT-2 “The Doer Birds” for Primary and Intermediate training and earned his wings in May of 2001 after completing Advanced training with HT-8.  Later that month, he reported to the HSL-41 “Seahawks” for initial fleet training in the SH-60B. 

CAPT Kelly began his operational flying in January 2002 with the “Scorpions” of HSL-49 where he completed two deployments.  The first deployment was in USS SHILOH (CG 67), with the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72) Strike Group, which participated in Operations ENDURING FREEDOM, SOUTHERN WATCH, and the start of IRAQI FREEDOM.  During his second cruise he deployed in USS FORD (FFG 54) as the detachment operations officer and participated in NORTHERN EDGE and RIMPAC 2004.  He completed his tour with the “Scorpions” as the squadron NATOPS Officer.

In March of 2005, CAPT Kelly reported aboard HSL-41 as a Fleet Replacement Squadron Instructor.  During his tour he held the positions of squadron NATOPS Officer, Naval Aviation Production Process Officer, and Training Department Head.  As the training Department Head, he oversaw the creation of the first FRS curricula for the MH-60R, the installation of three new flight simulators, and the transition of HSL-41 to HSM-41, the Navy’s first MH-60R FRS.  He received his Master’s in Business Administration from San Diego State University during this tour.

CAPT Kelly completed his time at HSM-41 by transitioning to the MH-60R.  Upon completion of his transition he reported to Pensacola, FL for Naval Aviation Safety School.  From there he continued to NAS Jacksonville, FL where he stood up the HSM-70 “Spartans”, the first MH-60R squadron on the East Coast, as a Super JO.  He acted as the SAR Officer, NATOPS Officer, and Safety Department Head during his time in Sparta.  In September of 2010, he reported to HSL-44 “Swampfox” for their transition from the SH-60B to the MH-60R and Carrier Air Wing 3.  He served as the Squadron Operations Officer for 14 months before departing for Newport, RI to attend the United States Naval War College in November of 2012.  

In 2013 CAPT Kelly departed for Stuttgart, Germany, where he served as the Israel Section Chief in the EUCOM J-7.  He was the lead planner for all major exercises the United States conducted in Israel from 2014-2016.  

From December 2016 to July 2019 CAPT Kelly was the executive officer and commanding officer of “The Easyriders” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron THREE SEVEN (HSM-37).  During his tenure, the Easyriders received the Battle “E” and the Arthur J. Isbell Award for Anti-Submarine and Anti-Surface Warfare excellence two years in a row.  He has more than 2,700 flight hours in the SH-60B and MH-60R aircraft.

CAPT Kelly reported aboard USS BOXER (LHD 4) as the Air Officer in July of 2019.  He completed a deployment in the FIFTH and SEVENTH FLEET AORs and acted as the F-35 program officer during BOXER’s F-35 upgrade yard availability.  He departed BOXER in November of 2021 for orders to COMTHIRDFLT.  In July of 2022, he assumed command of Tactical Air Control Group ONE (CTG-1).

CAPT Kelly’s personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Strike/Flight Air Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (two awards), Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards) and numerous service awards and ribbons.