Captain William “Flash” Guheen is a native of Jackson, Wyoming, but grew up in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, where he attended High School at Hilton College, a small private school in the Midlands of Kwa-Zulu Natal. He is married to Kalia, and they have one daughter. He received his commission in 2002 from the United States Naval Academy, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Systems Engineering. Following flight training at NAS Whiting Field, Guheen was designated an unrestricted Naval Aviator in August 2004. He then reported to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Ten (HS-10) and completed Fleet Replacement Training in the SH-60F/HH-60H Seahawk Helicopter in 2005.
At sea, he served with the “Legendary Black Knights” of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Four (HS-4) as the Assistant Operations Officer; Expeditionary Sea Combat Unit One (ESCU-1) as the Operations Officer; Carrier Air Wing Seven as the Helicopter Operations Officer, Personnel Recovery Officer and Flight Hour Program Manager; and the “Firehawks” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Eighty Five (HSC-85) as the Tactics, Safety and Operations Officer. He completed his most recent operational tour as the Executive and Commanding Officer of the “Dragonslayers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Eleven (HSC-11). Throughout his career he has deployed nine times in support of numerous operations across the 2nd, 5th, 6th and 7th Fleets, embarking aboard various ships including the USS Ronald Regan (CVN-76), USNS GySgt Fred W. Stockham (T-AK-3017), USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) and USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75).
Guheen’s shore assignments include Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Ten (HS-10) as an instructor in the SH-60F and HH-60H Helicopter; U.S. Northern Command where he served as the Missile and Space Domain Chief on the NORAD and NORTHCOM Command Center watch floor; and the Joint Forces Staff College as Operations Officer and military faculty for the Joint and Combined Warfare School (JCWS). He became the Commanding Officer of U.S. Navy Support Facility Diego Garcia on July 7, 2025.
He has accumulated over 2,900 hours in the H-60 F/H/S; is a graduate of the Seahawk Weapons and Tactics Instructor (SWTI) and Mountain Flying courses; and holds the AQD for Level 1 Space Operations. He is a JCWS graduate and a Joint Qualified Officer. His personal awards include Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medals, Navy Achievement Medals, various campaigns, service, unit awards, and he was named HS-10 Instructor Pilot of the Year in 2010. Selected by his peers for Outstanding Leadership, Guheen was awarded the 2020 Navy and Marine Association Leadership Award for Helicopter Sea Combat Wing, Atlantic.
Last Updated: 10 July 2025