CDR Brian “Din-Din” Bernardin is a native of Santa Monica, California and grew up in San Diego County. He enlisted in 1995 and while attending Naval Nuclear Power School he was accepted to the Naval Academy Preparatory School in Newport, Rhode Island. He gained his commission through the United States Naval Academy in May 2001 with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering. He holds a master’s degree in National Security Studies from the Air War College completed in May 2021 and completed an Anti-Submarine Warfare Certificate from the Naval Post Graduate School.
His operational deployments while assigned to HSL-49 include administrative officer, training officer, and assistant operations officer, USS McCampbell (DDG 85) in 2004, SAR operations in support of JTF KATRINA in September 2005, and operations officer, USS McCampbell (DDG 85) 2006.
In August 2006, CDR Bernardin reported to NSAWC in Fallon, NV to become a Seahawk Weapons and Tactics Instructor (SWTI). He served at Helicopter Maritime Strike Weapons School Pacific at North Island until October 2008 where he transferred to RAF Boscombe Down in the United Kingdom to attend Empire Test Pilots School. Following training, he reported to HX-21 at NAS Patuxent River, MD to lead SH-60B software development and MH60R acoustics and mission planning development until September 2011. From September 2011 until June 2012, he served in Afghanistan during an IA to coordinate U.S. Army helicopter support for U.S. Navy SEAL combat missions.
CDR Bernardin reported to the “Easyriders” of HSM-37 as Squadron Quality Assurance Officer in September 2012. He played an integral role in transitioning the squadron from the legacy SH-60B to the MH-60R helicopter. Departing in October 2015, he served as the Squadron Training, Operations and Maintenance Officer.
CDR Bernardin reported to Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet in November 2015 serving as the Current Operations Maritime Aviation Planner and Personnel Recovery SME during all crisis and contingency operations in the Pacific AO until departing in April 2019.
CDR Bernardin reported to Naval Support Activity, Bahrain to assume duties as the Operations Officer (N3) in June 2019. As Operations Officer, he was the senior UC-12 pilot assigned to the unit leading 12 pilots supporting missions with 3 aircraft during a highly dynamic and challenging period providing on demand airlift for the 3-Star Fleet Commander and installation during the global COVID-19 pandemic while leading the Emergency Management, Federal Fire, Safety, Port and Air Operations Departments departing in July 2021.
CDR Bernardin returned to U.S. Pacific Fleet in June 2022 and is currently serving as a Plans and Policy maritime planner developing posture infrastructure initiatives for the entire Pacific Region.
In addition to various unit and campaign awards, CDR Bernardin has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (Second Award), Navy Commendation Medal (Fourth Award), Army Commendation Medal and Navy Achievement Medal.
Last Updated: 13 July 2025