Lt. Cmdr. Caleb W. McDonald, a native of Winterset, Iowa, enlisted in the U.S. Navy in December 1997. He graduated boot camp and Aviation Apprenticeship Training at Naval Station Great Lakes, Illinois. He was commissioned through the Limited Duty Officer program in 2013. He earned a Bachelor of Science Occupational Safety and Health/Fire Science with cum laude honors from Columbia Southern University in 2021.

His enlisted assignments include, USS George Washington (CVN 73); Louis F. Garland (DoD) Fire Academy; USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74); and Commander Naval Air Forces Pacific (CNAP).

After commissioning, he reported to Newport, Rhode Island, for Mustang University indoctrination. His officer assignments include, crash & salvage officer and assistant flight deck officer aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68), flight deck officer aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), aircraft rescue fire fighting model manager at NAVAIR/PMA-251, and aircraft handling officer aboard USS Harry S Truman (CVN 75).

He reported to Naval Air Technical Training Center Detachment Lakehurst as officer in charge in November 2025.

His personal awards include the Navy Commendation Medal (six awards), Navy Achievement Medal (three awards), Combat Action Ribbon, and various unit and service awards.  
 

Last Updated: 16 January 2026