In May 1987, after having transitioned to the F/A-18 Hornet and previously serving as squadron executive officer, Keating assumed command of Strike Fighter Squadron 87 (VFA-87) and deployed with Carrier Air Wing EIGHT (CVW-8) aboard to the North Atlantic and to the Mediterranean. After his tour with VFA-87, he served as Head of the Aviation Junior Officer Assignments Branch of the Naval Military Personnel Command in Washington, D.C.. He next served as Deputy Commander, Carrier Air Wing SEVENTEEN (CVW-17) in January 1991, participating in combat operations in support of Operation Desert Storm from .