A native of Summit, New Jersey, Commander Matt Petersen graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2009 and was designated a Naval Aviator in 2011. Commander Petersen joined the “Warlords” of HSL-51 in advance of the squadron’s transition-in-place to the MH-60R as one of the first class of MH-60R pilots. He deployed with Detachments TWO and THREE aboard USS LASSEN (DDG 82) and USS MUSTIN (DDG 89) in support of CSG-5 and Operation DAMAYAN.

Returning to the “Warlords” of HSM-51 in 2020 as a Department Head, CDR Petersen led Detachment TWO as officer-in-charge deploying aboard USS SHILOH (CG 67) supporting CSG-5 and SEVENTH Fleet operations. He completed his tour as Maintenance Officer and was voted 2021 Officer of the Year.

Ashore, CDR Petersen was selected for the United States Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS) and graduated with Class 151 in 2017. He subsequently reported to HX-21, where he conducted development and test for MH-60R/S flight software, mission systems and MINOTAUR; and flew as a chase pilot for the CH-53K.

Following his department head tour, CDR Petersen reported to the Joint Staff in 2022, where he served in the China Division of the Deputy Directorate for Asia, developing strategy and policy guidance for the Chairman and senior military leaders in the Directorate for Strategy, Plans and Policy (J5).

Commander Petersen holds a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from MIT and an MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business. He has flown over 1,900 hours in 27 different aircraft types.