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RADM (Sel) Steve Heilman
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Captain Heilman was born in Defiance, Ohio, and raised in Des Moines, Iowa. He joined the Navy in 1969 after earning his Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Drake University. He reported to Aviation Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida in April, 1970, and was commissioned #1 in his Class on 24 July, 1970. Following 16 weeks of additional training at the Aviation Maintenance Officers' School, NATTC Memphis, Tennessee, Captain Heilman reported to Patrol Squadron FIFTY-SIX, NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, where he participated in the fleet introduction of the P-3C aircraft. After a squadron change of home port from Patuxent River to NAS Jacksonville, Florida, Captain Heilman accompanied VP-56 on deployments to NS Keflavik, Iceland, NAS Bermuda and NAF Lajes, Azores.
In May, 1974, Captain Heilman was transferred to Training Squadron TWENTY-EIGHT, NAS Corpus Christi, Texas where he managed the maintenance support effort for 47 TS-2A aircraft. In late 1975, the Navy introduced its new T-44A turboprop aircraft into the Training Command inventory. Captain Heilman assisted Training Airwing FOUR shift from a full organic support program on the TS-2A to full contract maintenance on the T-44A.
From July, 1977 to September, 1979, Captain Heilman was assigned to Attack Squadron FIFTY-TWO, NAS Whidbey Island, Washington. He made two WESTPAC deployments with VA-52, embarked both times in USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63).
In October, 1979, Captain Heilman received orders to the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), Washington, D.C. He served as the first Assistant Program Manager (Logistics) for the Navy's new Consolidated Automated Support System (CASS) Automatic Test Equipment.
In December, 1982, Captain Heilman transferred to USS Ranger (CV-61) in San Diego, California as the Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department (AIMD) Production Officer. Eighteen months later he was selected for promotion into the CV-61 AIMD Officer Department Head billet. Captain Heilman made his third WESTPAC deployment with Ranger, and took his AIMD through a Complex Overhaul at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton Washington. During his 42-month tour with the ship, Ranger's AIMD was awarded two consecutive COMNAVAIRPAC Black "E" Battle Efficiency Awards.
In July, 1986, Captain Heilman reported to the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Washington, D.C. for graduate-level training in Joint and Combined logistics operations and industrial mobilization planning. After graduation, he returned to NAVAIR to serve as Deputy Director of the Support Equipment Engineering Division.
In November, 1988, Captain Heilman was nominated to be the Aerospace Maintenance Duty Officer (AMDO) Detailer in the Bureau of Naval Personnel, a position he held until October, 1990.
On 15 October 1990 Captain Heilman returned for his third tour in NAVAIR, this time as the Deputy Director, Aviation Depot Business Planning Division (AIR-431). He left AIR-43 in April, 1992 moving up to serve as NAVAIR's Executive Director for Logistics and Fleet Support (AIR-04B). During this period, Captain Heilman was selected for a major command assignment. He received orders to the Naval Aviation Depot, Alameda, California in December, 1992 to serve as Executive Officer. Captain Heilman became Commanding Officer of NADEP Alameda in July, 1994. In 1995, NADEP Alameda was presented with the President's Federal Quality Award for Leadership and Management Excellence.
Captain Heilman detached from NADEP Alameda in January, 1996 and reported to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations as Head of Naval Aviation Maintenance Programs and Policy (N881), a position he held until October, 1997.
In October, 1997 he left the CNO Staff to return, once again, to the Naval Air Systems Command where he currently serves as the Executive Director for Aviation Industrial Operations.
Captain Heilman wears the Legion of Merit Award, the Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), the Navy Commendation Medal and various unit awards and campaign ribbons.
He is married to the former Christine Vance of Des Moines, Iowa. The Heilmans have a son, Erik, and a daughter, Lesley.
Last updated 10.2.99
