Naval Career

CAPT Kahn graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2003 with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in English. He selected Naval Aviation and completed flight training in 2005,
ultimately selecting the P-3 Orion aircraft for his Fleet tours of duty, which included multiple deployments around the world. In the aircraft, he qualified as an Aircraft Commander, Mission Commander, and Instructor Pilot, while on the ground he managed a myriad of programs through the years, the highlights of which include Equal Opportunity and Command Climate, Maintenance Quality Assurance, Flight Standardization, and Fleet Evaluator. On April 30, 2015, CAPT Kahn left the Navy to accept a NOAA Corps Commission. During his Naval career, his unit awards include two Navy Battle “E” awards and a Meritorious Unit Commendation, and his individual awards include the Air Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, and Navy Achievement Medal.

NOAA Career

On May 1, 2015 CAPT Kahn was sworn into the NOAA Officer Corps. During his assignment to the Aircraft Operations Center, he served as Chief – Safety Section, Chief – Flight Operations Section, Deputy Chief – Operations Branch, Deputy Chief – Safety, Standardization, and Training (SST) Branch, and Chief – SST Branch. His project accomplishments include
successful planning and execution of AOC’s Annual Safety Conference, development and execution of AOC’s annual flight schedule, and management of over $2M in training funds to support the annual training and qualification of over 30 NOAA Corps Aviators. Additionally, he qualified as Hurricane Aircraft Commander and Instructor Pilot in the WP-3D Orion and Instructor Pilot in the BE-350 King Air. To date, he has flown more than 5,000 flight hours and
completed over 250 hurricane eyewall penetrations. In November, 2020, CAPT Kahn transferred to OMAO Headquarters to serve on the OMAO Operations staff, initially as the Aviation Advisor before moving up to serve as Chief of
Staff for Operations. Collaterally, he focused on Leadership development, both for himself and for others. He managed OMAO’s Midgrade Leadership Seminar, ensuring the program successfully resumed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and he is a member of NOAA’s Leadership Competencies Development Program Cohort 12, where he developed experience across the NOAA enterprise. Reporting to the Aircraft Operations Center in November, 2023, CAPT Kahn will serve as the next Commanding Officer. CDR Kahn’s awards include NOAA Corps Directors Ribbon, International Service Ribbon, U.S. Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal, NOAA Corps Achievement Medal, NOAA Corps Commendation Medal, NOAA Unit Citation, NOAA Corps Outstanding Volunteer Server Medal, and Department of Commerce Bronze and Gold Medals.

Off Duty

CAPT Kahn and his fiance Lindsey had their first child, Bear Levi Kahn, in January, 2023. When not on duty, he used to enjoy traveling, woodworking projects, and outdoor sports, but these days his free time is exclusively reserved for “Bear Wrestling,” and all the things that come with being a new parent. He will get back to his hobbies someday, to be sure.

Classroom to the Sky

Captain Kahn will be the keynote speaker for Classroom to the Sky on February 24, 2024. For more information or to register, click here.