CDR Dave Tickle is a native of Trussville, AL. After graduating from Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School in 1998, he attended the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. Here, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering in May 2002. He also earned a Master of Business Administration in Financial Management from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA in June 2019.
Upon commissioning in 2002, he reported to NAS Pensacola, FL to begin flight school. After receiving training in VT-6 at NAS Whiting Field, FL and VT-7 and VT-9 at NAS Meridian, MS, he earned his wings in April 2005. He then reported to the "Gladiators" of VFA-106 for initial fleet replacement training in the F/A-18C Hornet.
His first sea assignment was with the "Knighthawks" of VFA-136 from February 2006 to February 2009. Here, he completed various junior officer roles in the safety, maintenance, and operations departments. He also served as a Landing Signals Officer. During this time, he completed two combat deployments with Carrier Airwing 1 on USS ENTERPRISE (CVN-65) to Iraq and Afghanistan in support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM. He also completed a transition with VFA-136 to the F/A-18E Super Hornet.
From March 2009 to August 2010, he served as an advance stage flight instructor in the T-45C in VT-9 "Tigers" at NAS Meridian, MS. Here, he was the Instructor Under Training Standardization Officer and a Landing Signals Officer.
In July 2010, he was selected to join the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, and reported to NAS Pensacola, FL in September 2010 to join the team. For the 2011 show season, he served as Blue Angel #7, the Narrator and Advance/VIP pilot. In 2012, he became Blue Angel #6, the Opposing Solo and Applicants Officer. From 2013-2014, he served as Blue Angel #5, the Lead Solo and Operations Officer.
His next sea assignment was from February 2015 to October 2017 with the "Eagles" of VFA-115, as part of the Forward Deployed Naval Forces, stationed at NAF Atsugi, Japan. Here, he served as the Administrative Department Head, Operations Officer, and Maintenance Officer. During this time, he completed three WESTPAC deployments with Carrier Airwing 5 on USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN-73) and USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN-76).
CDR Tickle reported to Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington D.C. in July 2019 to assume command of the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard.
CDR Tickle has accumulated over 3,600 flight hours and 546 carrier arrested landings. His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Strike Flight Air Medal (2), Navy Commendation Medal, and various personal, campaign, and unit awards.
Last Updated: 21 June 2022