Captain Steven W. Knott

CAPTAIN STEVEN W. KNOTT

UNITED STATES NAVY

A native of West Point, Virginia, Captain Knott graduated from Hampden-Sydney College in 1982 with a BA in History. Embarking on a military career in 1984, he was commissioned in 1985 and earned his wings of gold as a Naval Aviator in June 1986.

During his first operational assignment at Helicopter Combat Support Squadron EIGHT (HC-8), based in Norfolk, Virginia, he participated in two six-month deployments to the Mediterranean Sea aboard USS SEATTLE (AOE 3) and USNS SATURN (T-AFS 10) respectively. Captain Knott was selected in 1989 to serve as the Flag Lieutenant for Rear Admiral Phillip R. Olson, Commander, Combat Logistics Group TWO, stationed in Norfolk, Virginia. Following his assignment as a flag aide, he attended Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, where he earned a MA degree in National Security Affairs.

In 1992, Captain Knott reported to Helicopter Combat Support Squadron SIX (HC-6) in Norfolk, Virginia. While assigned to HC-6, he served as Officer in Charge (OIC) of Detachment TWO during a six-month Mediterranean deployment aboard USS SANTA BARBARA (AE 28), and volunteered to deploy aboard USS INCHON (LPH 12) to Somalia as ship’s company, earning an Officer of the Deck Underway qualification. In 1994, he transferred to the staff of Commander, Helicopter Tactical Wing, U. S. Atlantic Fleet, where he served as Wing Operations Officer.

Returning to HC-8 for his department head tour in 1996, Captain Knott served as Detachment THREE OIC during the TWA Flight 800 recovery operation off Long Island, New York, and as OIC of Detachment FIVE during a six-month Mediterranean Sea/Arabian Gulf deployment aboard USS DETROIT (AOE 4). In 2000, Captain Knott was selected for operational command and assigned as the Executive Officer/Commanding Officer of HC-8.

As Commanding Officer of HC-8, he deployed five helicopter detachments in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM. Despite a one hundred percent increase in operational tempo, Captain Knott earned the 2002 COMLANTFLT Retention Excellence Award. He was also recognized for fostering a superior command climate by the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, who designated Captain Knott an Honorary Chief Petty Officer in 2003.

Captain Knott is currently assigned to the U. S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where he teaches military history, theater strategy, and campaign formulation. In 2009, he was awarded the Admiral William F. Halsey Chair of Naval Studies to recognize his superior academic contributions to the college.

Captain Knott’s awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (two awards) and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (seven awards), as well as several unit and operational awards. He is married to the former Lisa Christopher of Raleigh, North Carolina.