In September 1978, Keating joined Attack Squadron 122 (VA-122) at NAS Lemoore, California, and later served with Carrier Air Wing FIFTEEN (CVW-15) as Staff Landing Signal Officer, embarking aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) and deploying to the Western Pacific/Indian Ocean.
From May 1982 to July 1984, as Administrative Officer, Operations Officer and Maintenance Officer of Attack Squadron 94 (VA-94), Keating deployed twice to the Western Pacific aboard USS Enterprise (CVN-65). His next assignment was Aide and Flag Lieutenant to the Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Command.
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 USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) 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 USS Saratoga (CV-60).