Commander, Fleet Air Western Pacific
CAPT Gendron was born in Landstuhl, Germany and grew up in Skandia, Michigan, graduated from Ferris State University and Northwestern Michigan College in 1995 with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Business Administration and an Associate's of Applied Science in Aviation Technology. He was commissioned as an Ensign in August of 1997 after completing Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida and was designated a Naval Aviator in June 2000.
His operational assignments include three tours with Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron FIFTEEN (HM-15) in Corpus Christi, Texas and Norfolk, VA. He has over 2,224 hours primarily in the MH-53E Sea Dragon. CAPT Gendron commanded HM-15 from September 2014 through November 2015.
His shore assignments include tours with Airborne Mine Countermeasures Weapon Systems Training School, Navy Expeditionary Warfare (OPNAV N95), Navy Air Warfare (OPNAV N98). CAPT Gendron attended Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island from 2007 to 2008 completing Joint Professional Military Education (Phase 1) and earning a Master's Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. CAPT Gendron commanded HM-12 from August of 2017 to August of 2019. CAPT Gendron recently served as the Commander Naval Forces Europe-Africa Liaison to U.S. Africa Command in Stuttgart, Germany from Aug 2019 to May 2021.
CAPT Gendron’s personal awards include the Legion of Merit (1), Meritorious Service Medal (4), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3), and various other campaign awards and unit commendations.