Commander Loren "Wookie" Jacobi

Commanding Officer, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 3

26 October 2020 A native of Springfield, Virginia, Commander Jacobi graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2001, earning a Bachelor of Science in Naval Architecture. He reported to NAS Pensacola for flight training in November 2001 and earned his Naval Aviator Wings in January 2003. In February 2003 CDR Jacobi reported to the HSC-3 “Merlins” for initial fleet training as a MH-60S helicopter pilot.

CDR Jacobi began his operational flying in July 2003 with the “Dragonwhales” of HC-8, deploying onboard USS SEATTLE (AOE 3), USS NASSAU (LHA 4) and USS KEARSARGE (LHD 3). He participated in IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM and supported humanitarian assistance operations in Haiti.

Following his tour with HC-8, CDR Jacobi reported to the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center in Fallon, Nevada where he qualified as a Seahawk Weapons and Tactics Instructor, Mountain Flying Instructor and Joint Terminal Attack Controller. During his tenure at NSAWC, CDR Jacobi served as the lead N8 Training Officer and Seahawk Weapons and Tactics Program Manager.

In 2008, CDR Jacobi joined the “Wildcards” of HSC-23 in San Diego, CA where he served as the squadron Training Officer, managed the squadron’s transition to the MH-60S Armed Helicopter system and trained Naval Air Ambulance Detachments for combat deployments in Kuwait and Iraq.

At the completion of his Training Officer tour in 2010, CDR Jacobi reported to the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA where he completed a master’s degree in Systems Engineering, specializing in unmanned combat systems. For his thesis on combat modeling of emerging unmanned systems technology, he was awarded the prestigious Wayne E Meyer Awards for Excellence in Systems Engineering.
  
In 2012, CDR Jacobi reported to the “Golden Falcons” of HSC-12.  While stationed in Atsugi, Japan, CDR Jacobi conducted four patrols in Southeast Asia onboard USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73), including Operation DAMAYAN disaster relief in the Philippines.

Following his Department Head tour, CDR Jacobi served as the Helicopter Sea Assignments officer at Navy Personnel Command in Millington, Tennessee.

In 2015, CDR Jacobi was selected for Secretary of the Navy Tours With Industry. He served as Technical Operations Engineer on Amazon’s Prime Air drone delivery team in Seattle Washington

CDR Jacobi served his command tour leading the “Wildcards” of HSC-23 from March 2018 through June 2020. During his tenure HSC-23 operated both the MH-60S and MQ-8B while leading DOD unmanned-unmanned integration efforts and earned the Battle “E,” Safety “S” and received HSC Wing Pacific endorsement for the DOD Phoenix Maintenance excellence award. Following his command tour, CDR Jacobi reported to Commander, Naval Air Forces as N81, Future Manpower Requirements.

CDR Jacobi has accumulated over 2,500 flight hours; his awards include a Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal and various service awards.