Captain Richard “Speed” Christoff, a native of Youngstown, Ohio, graduated from Youngstown State University in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Information Systems. He received his commission through Navy Officer Candidate School in 2002.
In August 2004, Captain Christoff earned his Naval Aviator Warfare pin through Advanced Helicopter training at NAS Whiting Field in Milton, Florida. For his first operational tour, he was assigned to the “Proud Warriors” of HSL-42 in Jacksonville, Florida, in July 2005. During this tour, he supported Counter-Piracy operations with USS James E. Williams (DDG-95), and Counter-Narcotics missions with USS Boone (FFG-28). He served as Training Officer, NATOPS Officer, and Detachment FOUR Maintenance Officer. In 2008, he was honored with the HSL-42 Squadron Pilot of the Year Award.
Captain Christoff reported for his initial shore assignment to the VX-1 “Pioneers” in Patuxent River, Maryland in March 2009. During this period, he attended the Seahawk Weapons and Tactics Instructor (SWTI) course in Fallon, Nevada. At VX-1, he served as Squadron Weapons and Tactics Instructor, MH-60R and SH-60B NTTP Model Manager, and Tactical Standardization Officer.
In March 2012, Captain Christoff joined CVW-5 as the HSM CVW representative supporting HSM-77 “Saberhawks” and HSM-51 “Warlords” deploying with USS George Washington (CVN-73). Notably the first HSM Representative in CVW-5, he laid foundational work for integrating HSM squadrons with CVW-5. In 2014, he received the Naval Helicopter Association’s Shipboard Pilot of the Year award.
Transferring to HSM-72 “Proud Warriors” in May 2014 as Squadron Operations Officer. Captain Christoff deployed with USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) and CVW-7 supporting Operation INHERENT RESOLVE alongside Counter-Piracy and Maritime Security Operations. He was named HSM-72 Officer of the Year in 2016.
Reporting to United States Northern Command Joint Personnel Recovery Center at Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City, Florida in November 2016 as J35 Personnel Recovery Coordinator for Northern Command Area of Regard. Screening for Operational Aviation Command followed by joining HSM-73 "Battlecats" as Executive Officer July 2019 before Commanding the “Battlecats” from November 2020 until February 2022, deploying with USS Nimitz (CVN-68) and CVW-17.
Captain Christoff has logged over 3500 hours in aircraft and helicopters, and has been awarded the Legion of Merit, Air Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various other unit commendations and service medals.
Last Updated: 23 June 2026