Commanding Officer's Biography

Captain Brian P. Hopkins

Captain Hopkins recently served as the Executive Assistant to the Commander, Pacific Area, Alameda, CA, from June 2017 until May 2019. Prior to his assignment to Pacific Area, Captain Hopkins served as the Executive Officer and Operations Officer at Air Station New Orleans, LA. During this tour, he earned the qualification of Aircraft Commander in the MH-65 Dauphin helicopter. Previous aviation assignments include serving as an MH-60T/J Flight Examiner and Instructor Pilot at Air Station Cape Cod, MA, MH60J Standardization Instructor Pilot at Aviation Training Center Mobile, AL, and as an HH60J Instructor Pilot and Aircraft Commander at Air Station Clearwater, FL.

Captain Hopkins has accumulated over 4,300 flight hours and holds an FAA Helicopter Airline Transport License. Additional operational qualifications include Shipboard-Helicopter, Airborne Use of Force (PWCS), Rotary Wing Air Intercept (H60), Tactical/Basic Vertical Insertion, and Vertical Surface qualifications. Additional ashore assignments include serving as the Military Aide to the Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security where Captain Hopkins earned the Department of Homeland Security Personnel Staff Badge.

Captain Hopkins’ personal awards include the Legion of Merit, two Meritorious Service Medals, two Air Medals, two Coast Guard Commendation Medals, and the Coast Guard Achievement Medal. As a prior service Army Aviation Officer, Captain Hopkins earned two Army Commendation Medals and two Army Achievement Medals while serving at Fort Polk, LA, Fort Hood, TX, and Joint Task Force Bravo in Soto Cano, Honduras.

Originally from Medina, OH, Captain Hopkins has earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, NY, a Master of Arts Degree in Management from American Military University, and a Master of Public Administration Degree from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University, NY.

Captain Hopkins is married to his wife, Kim, and they have four children.