Commander Mason W. Berry

Commanding Officer, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 6

23 October 2020 Commander Mason W. Berry is a native of Vineyard Haven, Ma and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2004 with a Bachelor’s degree in General Engineering.  Upon graduation, he reported to Pensacola, FL to begin flight training.  In 2006, CDR Berry earned his flight wings and reported to San Diego for Fleet Replacement Pilot training in the MH-60S Knighthawk helicopter.
 
In 2007 CDR Berry reported for his first sea tour as a member of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Two Five (HSC-25) in Guam.  During his tour he deployed three times including two deployments to the 7^th Fleet Area of Responsibility (AOR) and one deployment as part of the 2515^th Naval Air Ambulance Detachment conducting MEDEVAC operations in Kuwait and southern Iraq.
 
Leaving HSC-25 in 2010, he reported to Fleet Replacement Squadron, Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Ten (HS-10) in San Diego for duty as a flight instructor in the SH-60F/HH-60H Seahawk helicopters.  In the summer of 2016, HS-10 was decommissioned and merged with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Three (HSC-3) where he finished his instructor tour as the NATOPS Officer for HSC-3.
 
CDR Berry reported to USS Green Bay (LPD-20) as the Air Boss in the Spring of 2013.  While on board, he oversaw the overhaul of the ships flight deck and associated equipment during an extended ship’s availability.  Additionally, he was designated the Senior Watch Officer and managed a successful homeport transfer from San Diego, Ca to Sasebo, Japan and two subsequent deployments in the 7^th Fleet AOR.  
 
Upon completion of his tour on LPD-20, he returned to flying and reported to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Fifteen (HSC-15) as the Safety Department Head in 2016.   In December of 2016, LCDR Berry was re-assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Four (HSC-4) after HSC-15 was slated to be deactivated.  While a member of HSC-4, he deployed twice with the USS Carl Vinson Strike Group to the Western Pacific and served as both the Operations Officer and Maintenance Officer.   
 
In December of 2019, CDR Berry reported to the Joint Staff in Washington, D.C., Strategy Plans and Policy Directorate as part of the Joint Strategic Planning team.  He moved to the Strategy Development Division and ultimately to Deputy Directorate for Global Integration.  His primary responsibilities included overseeing the development of Strategic Opportunities, Global Campaign Plans, and Global Integration Frameworks. 
 
CDR Berry returned to San Diego in November of 2020 for refresher flight training at HSC-3 before checking in to HSC-6 as the Executive Officer.   CDR Berry has accumulated over 2,500 flight hours across three TMS of the H-60 helicopter.  His personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Strike/Flight Air Medal (two awards), Navy Commendation Medal (three awards), Army Commendation Medal, Joint Achievement Medal, Navy/Marine Corp Achievement Medal (two awards), and various service awards and ribbons.  He and his wife Jessica Berry live in La Mesa with their three sons, Shaler (4), Caden (2), and Beau (newborn).