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Commander Matt “Hambino” Henrich

A native of Bristol, Rhode Island, CDR Henrich graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in 2007, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology and Sociology.  CDR Henrich was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Program and reported to NAS Pensacola, FL for flight training in August 2007.  He earned his Naval Aviator Wings of gold in July 2009.  CDR Henrich reported to NAS North Island to the HSM-41 “Seahawks” for initial fleet training as an MH-60R Pilot and Airborne Tactical Officer.
CDR Henrich began his operational flying in August 2010 with the “Saberhawks” of HSM-77, NAS North Island.  While assigned to HSM-77 CDR Henrich made two fifth fleet deployments with the Abraham Lincoln Strike group in support of Operation New Dawn, Operation Enduring Freedom and CTF-151 Counter piracy Operations onboard USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72), USS SHOUP (DDG-86) and USS CAPE ST. GEORGE (CG-71).  
CDR Henrich reported back to the “Seahawks” of HSM-41 as a Fleet Replacement Squadron Instructor in February of 2013.  He served as the Squadron Legal Officer, Naval Air Training Operations Procedures Standardization (NATOPS) Program Manager and the Commander Naval Air Forces NATOPS Squadron Evaluator.  He also served as one of six Squadron Deck Landing Qualification Instructors.
In January 2016 CDR Henrich reported to the “Griffins” of HSM-79 as one of seven Super JOs chosen to help standup the last MH-60R Squadron.  He served as the Squadron Operations Officer, Assistant Operations Officer, and the Quality Assurance Officer.  He was selected as the HSM-79’s first Pilot of the year.
In February 2018, CDR Henrich reported to the “Easyriders” of HSM-37 for his Department Head tour where he was assigned as the Detachment SEVEN Officer-in-Charge, deploying to the South China Sea aboard USS WILLIAM P. LAWRENCE (DDG 110).  Ashore, he served as the squadron Operations Officer and Maintenance Officer and was selected as HSM-37’s Officer of the year in 2019.
CDR Henrich then reported to Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, CO for his Joint Tour at United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM).  He was assigned to the J34 Homeland Defense and Protection Division where he served as a Maritime Current Operations Officer. 
CDR Henrich has accumulated over 2,300 flight hours in the MH-60R.  His awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2), and various unit commendations, service and campaign awards.  He and his wife Katie have two boys, Liam and Brendan.
 

Last Updated: 12 May 2023


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