Matthew H. Keidel
Executive Officer - NTAG Carolina
05 April 2022
Commander Keidel is a native of Concord, North Carolina and a graduate from the University of South Carolina in 2007 with a B.S. in Chemistry. He received his commission from NROTC and was designated a Naval Aviator in October 2008.
After completion of the E-6B FRS, CDR Keidel joined VQ-3 "Ironman" at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma City, OK in June 2009. While attached to VQ-3, he completed multiple deployments in support of Nuclear Deterrence. He was designated Aircraft Commander, Mission Commander, Aerial Refueling Pilot, Assistant NATOPS Instructor, Functional Check Pilot, and Aviation Safety Officer (ASO).
After his first fleet tour, CDR Keidel reported to VT-31 "Wise Owls", NAS Corpus Christi, TX in June 2012 for duty as an Advanced Maritime Flight Instructor Pilot. While attached to VT-31, he instructed Navy, Marines, Coast Guard and International Military Student Naval Aviators in the T-44C. He was designated Aircraft Commander, NATOPS Evaluator, Instructor Training Unit Instructor Pilot, and ASO.
Following his shore tour, he served as a Catapult and Arresting Gear Officer "Shooter" on board the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) from September 2015 to April 2016.
In April 2016, CDR Keidel was by name requested and selected to serve as Officer-In-Charge (OIC) of a newly formed Training Air Wing Four Flight Instructor Training Unit (FITU) for both the T-6B and T-44C. While serving as OIC, CDR Keidel received a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.
CDR Keidel served as Commanding Officer Navy Reserve Center (NRC) Greensboro from June 2019 to July 2022, Chief Staff Officer of Navy Reserve Region Readiness and Mobilization Command, Norfolk VA from June 2022 to June 2023, and Force Training Officer, Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command, from June 2023 to June 2024.
During his career, CDR Keidel has accumulated over 3,400 mishap free flight hours in five different aircraft. His personal awards include Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (4 awards), and other service awards.