Commanding Officer CDR Daniel Harwood

Commander Daniel E. Harwood is a native of Derry, New Hampshire. Upon graduation from Penn State University in State College, Pennsylvania in January 1995, he was commissioned as an Ensign through the NROTC program, and immediately reported to Pensacola, Florida for flight training.

In December 1997 he qualified as a Naval Aviator after completing carrier qualification on board USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65), and reported to the “Greyhawks” of VAW-120 for training in the E-2C Hawkeye. Commander Harwood then moved to Point Mugu, California where he joined the “Sun Kings” of VAW-116 in October 1998 and completed two deployments to the Arabian Gulf on board USS CONSTELLATION (CV 64).

In October 2001, Commander Harwood returned to the “Greyhawks” of VAW-120 in Norfolk, Virginia were he served as flight instructor, pilot training officer, and head Landing Signal Officer.

In March 2004 he reported to Yokosuka, Japan where he served as Flag Aide to Commander Carrier Strike Group FIVE on board USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63).

In October 2005 he returned to the “Sun Kings” of VAW-116 where his jobs included Safety Officer, Administration Officer and Maintenance Officer. While with the “Sun Kings,” Commander Harwood deployed to the Western Pacific on board USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72).

In October 2007 he assumed the position of VAW/VRC Placement Officer at the Navy Personnel Command in Millington, Tennessee where he served as the principle manpower manager for the VAW/VRC community, as well as five east coast carrier air wings and eight training commands.

Commander Harwood also served as the Airborne Command Control and Logistics Wing Operations Officer before returning to VAW-116 as Executive Officer in February 2012.

His military awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), the Navy Achievement Medal (two awards), and various unit awards and citations. He has accumulated over 2,800 flight hours, 320 carrier arrested landings, and is a graduate of the Naval War College.