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Captain Eric W. Gardner, USN, Navy Federal Executive Fellow Captain Eric “Biff” Gardner was born and raised in Morgantown, West Virginia. He graduated fromthe U.S. Naval Academy in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Ocean Engineering. In June 1985, Captain Gardner reported to Naval Flight Officer training in Pensacola, FL. Upon completion, he was assigned to VAW-120, NAS Norfolk, VA, where he was designated a Naval Flight Officer and earned his wings in May 1987. Captain Gardner reported to the VAW-121 Bluetails in August 1987, qualified as an E-2C Mission Commander, and completed two deployments with CVW-7 onboard USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69), including the initial Operation DESERT SHIELD response to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in August 1990. In December 1990, Captain Gardner reported to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Weapons School, NAS Miramar, CA. During his tour he served as Electronic Warfare Officer, teaching the VF/VAW EWO Course, and as Power Projection Officer, accompanying VAW squadrons to NAS Fallon, NV during Air Wing Weapons Detachments. In December 1993, he reported to Commander, Cruiser Destroyer Group TWO, NS Charleston, SC serving as Assistant Air Operations and Joint Air Operations Officer. He sailed onboard USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73) during its maiden deployment in 1994, participating in the 50 th Anniversary of D-Day Commemoration, Operations DENY FLIGHT and SHARP GUARD in the Adriatic Sea and Operations SOUTHERN WATCH and VIGILANT WARRIOR in the Arabian Gulf. Captain Gardner reported to the VAW-124 Bear Aces, NAS Norfolk, VA in April 1996 and served as Administrative, Operations, and Maintenance Officer. He deployed with CVW-8 aboard USS JOHN F KENNEDY (CV 67) in 1997, flying missions in support of Operation DELIBERATE GUARD in the Adriatic Sea and Operation SOUTHERN WATCH in the Arabian Gulf. After earning a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College, NS Newport, RI, he reported to the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington DC where he served as Theater Air and Missile Defense and Cruise Missile Defense Requirements Officer for the Director, Surface Warfare, Assistant CNO for Missile Defense, and Director, Navy Missile Defense. He left the Pentagon in December 2001, reported as VAW-125 Executive Officer in July 2002 onboard USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73), and completed a second GW deployment providing airborne command and control over Afghanistan and Iraq in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and SOUTHERN WATCH respectively. Captain Gardner assumed command of VAW-125 in November 2003. During his tenure the Tigertails completed their transition to the E-2C Hawkeye 2000 aircraft, conducted an Operational Evaluation of the airborne node of Cooperative Engagement Capability, and successfully completed an Arabian Gulf deployment onboard USS JOHN F KENNEDY (CV 67) in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM in the Global War on Terrorism. Following command, Captain Gardner served at NATO’s Allied Command Transformation Headquarters in Norfolk, VA, within the Strategic Engagement and Vision Branch, before being selected in 2007 for a Federal Executive Fellowship at the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies, located in Arlington, VA. Captain Gardner has flown over 3100 hours in the E-2C and his awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3), Strike-Flight Air Medal (2), Navy Commendation Medal (3), and Navy Achievement Medal (2) as well as various campaign and command awards. He resides in Virginia Beach, VA with his wife Amy and two daughters, Grace and Sophie. |
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