Station Search and Rescue Whidbey Assumption of Command

Cmdr. Maximo Angeles assumed command of Station SAR Whidbey, during an assumption of command ceremony, Oct. 3, 2024.
 
His assumption of command for the Navy’s sole Search and Rescue Unit in the Pacific Northwest marks the beginning of the unit’s transfer under Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Pacific from the base’s installation command.
 
The command ceremony featured guest speaker and presiding officer Capt. Will Eastham, commodore, Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Pacific.

Cmdr. Angeles enlisted in the Navy as a Submariner, qualifying as an Enlisted Submarine Warfare Specialist and Navy Scuba Diver reaching the rank of petty officer first class before being selected for the Seaman to Admiral-21 commissioning program. He graduated from the University of California, San Diego in 2007 where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics. Following his commissioning, he reported to Naval Air Station Pensacola for flight school and earned his Naval Aviator Wings of Gold in October 2009.
 
Angeles began operational flying in June 2010 with the “Golden Falcons” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 12.  He completed two deployments aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) then assisted the “Golden Falcons” move to Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi, Japan where he completed an additional deployment aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). 
 
In 2013, Angeles returned to the Pensacola area for duty as a T-6B Texan II Instructor Pilot with the “Doer Birds” of Training Squadron (VT) 2.  While there, he served as a Standardization Instructor Pilot and Chief of Naval Air Training, Contact Stage Manager. 
 
In February 2017, Angeles reported aboard amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) in Norfolk, VA. He served as the Hangar Officer, Aircraft Handling Officer and Mini Boss.  While aboard USS Bataan, he earned his Officer of the Deck qualification.
 
Angeles returned to the “Golden Falcons” at NAF Atsugi, Japan in August 2019 as a Department Head. While with the Golden Falcons, he completed deployments aboard Blue Ridge-class amphibious command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) and Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76).  During his time at HSC-12 he served as Admin Officer, Detachment Officer in Charge, Safety Officer, and Operations Officer.
 
In January 2022, Angeles served as an Action Officer for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, J-5 Strategy, Plans and Policy Directorate at the Pentagon.