A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Capt. Adams was designated a naval aviator in February 2003. He flew the MH-60S Seahawk helicopter while assigned to Helicopter Combat Support Squadron (HC) 11, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21, HSC 3 and HSC 12, completing deployments to the 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operations, including a land based air ambulance deployment in Kuwait and Iraq. His shore assignments include Executive Officer of Integrated Air and Missile Defense at U.S. European Command and commanding officer of Training Squadron (VT) 27. Recently he served as air officer aboard amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6). He holds an M.A. in national security studies from NWC.