LtCol Callahan attended the United States Naval Academy (USNA) where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant upon graduation in May of 1999.
Upon graduation from the Naval Academy he served as a Marine staff instructor for the USNA PROTRAMID Midshipmen summer program in Annapolis, MD. Upon completion of TBS in March 2000, LtCol Callahan served as a staff instructor for the USNA Leatherneck Midshipmen summer program in Quantico, VA. Starting in August of 2000, he underwent Naval Aviation training in Pensacola, FL, before being designated a Naval Aviator in December of 2001. LtCol Callahan was then assigned to HMT-302 aboard Marine Corps Air Station New River, NC for CH-53E Fleet Replacement training.
In October of 2002, LtCol Callahan reported to Marine Heavy Helicopter HMH-464, Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River, NC. The squadron then deployed to Iraq in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM I in January of 2003 aboard the USS Kearsarge and Bataan. In September of 2004, LtCol Callahan detached to Marine Medium Squadron HMM-162 (REINFORCED) in preparation for deployment in March of 2005 with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operational Capable) again aboard the USS Kearsarge. Following the return from HMM-162 (REIN) in March of 2006 LtCol Callahan attended the Weapons and Tactics Instructors (WTI) course 2-06 and then returned to the squadron to became the Pilot Training Officer and WTI. LtCol Callahan then deployed with HMH-464 Detachment Alpha to Combined Joint Task Force- Horn of Africa, Djibouti, Africa in March 2007 in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. During his four year and ten month tour at HMH-464, LtCol Callahan served as the Flight Schedule Writer, Flight Officer, Airframes Officer, CH-53E Quality Assurance Officer, Pilot Training Officer, Assistant Operations Officer, Weapons and Tactics Instructor, and Future Operations Officer.
LtCol Callahan reported to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) in July 2007, for duties as a CH-53 Instructor. During his first two years he served as the buildings’ Subject Matter Expert for Personnel Recovery and the Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel operations, as well as the Assault Flight Leader for the Assault Support Tactics One battalion lift evolution. During LtCol Callahan’s final year at MAWTS-1 he moved into the Operations department where he served as the Assistant Operations Officer for the USMC pre-deployment exercise Enhanced Mojave Viper.
On 24 June 2010, LtCol Callahan reported to the Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery Alabama, for duties as a student under instruction. The following June of 2011, having completed all requirements for graduation, he was awarded a Masters of Military Operational Art and Science from the US Air Force’s Air Command and Staff College.
LtCol Callahan, in June 2011 then reported back to the fleet to HMH-366, MCAS Cherry Point, NC. Here he served initially as the squadron’s maintenance Quality Assurance Officer prior to being reassigned as the Operations Officer. In Jan 2012, LtCol Callahan deployed in this capacity with HMH-466 (-) (REIN) as part of the HMH-366 detachment, to Camp Leatherneck in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM 12.1. Following a successful deployment, he returned back to MCAS Cherry Point and HMH-366 in Aug of 2012, where he served as both the squadron’s Director of Safety and Standardization and Executive Officer.
LtCol Callahan, in May of 2014 having completed the Tactical Air Control Party course, reported to Commander Marine Raider Regiment for duties as the Regiment’s Air Officer. During the tour, LtCol Callahan was instrumental in defining the Aviation Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance requirements for all globally deployed MARSOF forces, and worked to strengthen the relationship between MARSOC and the MAGTF while acting as the liaison for their participation in many CONUS based service exercises.
LtCol Callahan departed the Raider Regiment in June of 2016 and reported to Commander Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron One for duties as the CH-53E/K Detachment Officer in Charge. During his time at the detachment he worked with multiple external agencies successfully setting the manning, training, and equipping framework for the upcoming CH-53K transition.
On the 7th of June 2017 LtCol Callahan, reported to the Commanding General of Second Marine Aircraft Wing for duties as the Commanding Officer of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464 where he currently serves.
LtCol Callahan’s personal awards include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with combat “V” and strike/ flight numeral “10”, Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two gold stars in lieu of third award, Joint Service Achievement Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster, Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal, NATO Medal, and various unit/campaign awards. He is also the recipient of the 2012 Order of Daedalians Marine Aviator of the Year award as nominated by Headquarters Marine Corps.