Hailing from Saugus, Calif., Capt. Ethan D. Haines graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2001, earning a Bachelor of Science in History.
Following graduation, he reported to Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla. for flight training in where he earned his Naval Aviator wings in February 2003 and in March 2003, he reported to the "Warhawks" of HS-10 for initial fleet training as an SH-60F / HH-60H anti-submarine and combat search and rescue pilot.
Haines began his operational flying in October 2003 with the “World Famous Golden Falcons” of HS-2. While a “Golden Falcon”, he made two Western Pacific (WESTPAC) deployments aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), participated in Operation Unified Assistance, providing disaster relief to the people of Sumatra following the 2005 tsunami. For his actions during the relief and rescue efforts he was awarded the Sikorsky Rescue Pin and Humanitarian Service Medal.
In September 2006 Haines qualified in the MH-60S and began instructing at HSC Weapons School Pacific. In April 2007 he graduated from Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center’s Rotary Wing Weapons School weapons and tactics instructor course, “Seawolf.” Haines was selected as the 2008 HS Pilot of the Year.
In 2009 Haines reported to Carrier Air Wing ELEVEN (CVW-11) as the “Barbwire” staff helicopter operations officer. While aboard CVW-11, he deployed aboard USS Nimitz supporting Operation Enduring Freedom and 3rd Fleet operations.
Haines returned to the squadron as a Department Head in HSC-6, the “Screamin’ Indians”. While with the Screamin’ Indians, he completed one RIMPAC and one deployment aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, serving as both Operations Officer and Maintenance Officer. While assigned to HSC-6, Haines was selected as the 2013 Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet HSC Pilot of the Year.
Following his department head tour, Haines served as a watch officer, Situation Center (SITCEN), NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. As a watch officer, he was responsible for the collection and monitoring of open source and classified intelligence of strategic importance to the North Atlantic Council, the Secretary General (SECGEN), the International and Military Staffs.
Haines returned to the fleet in 2018 where he reported back to the “World Famous Golden Falcons” of HSC-12 for his command tour while embarked upon USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) conducting six WESTPAC patrols as part of U.S. Pacific Fleet’s forward deployed naval forces.
Following his command tour Haines reported to U.S. European Command in Stuttgart, Germany, where he worked in the J3 directorate serving multiple roles in current operations during which he supported U.S. European Command efforts during the Russian war on Ukraine and Operation Allies Refuge.
Haines reported as the Chief of Staff for Carrier Strike Group FIFTEEN in February 2024.
Haines has accumulated over 3,200 flight hours in 5 aircraft. He has been awarded multiple Joint, unit, and personal awards and he holds an Executive Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the Naval Postgraduate School.