CDR Bierbach is a native of East Greenville, PA.  He joined the Navy in 1994 and attained the rank of Chief Petty Officer before he was commissioned in 2005 through the Officer Candidate School in NAS Pensacola, FL. Following his commission he  reported for flight training in March 2005 and finished his flight instruction at the P-3C Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) at NAS Jacksonville August 2007.

CDR Bierbach began his operational flying in August 2007 with Patrol Squadron FOUR FIVE (VP-45) Pelicans. While a “Pelican”, he made a split deployment to EUCOM 2007 and SOUTHCOM ,a second deployment to INDOPACOM 2009, and a ASW detachment in 2010.

March 2011, he reported for instructor duty to Patrol Squadron THIRTY (VP-30) the P-3C Fleet Replacement Squadron. After finishing his Qualification as a FRS instructor in August 2011, he was selected to attend the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Weapons School (MPRWS). Upon graduation in November 2011, he was selected to transition to the P-8A Poseidon. While at the MPRWS CDR Bierbach Qualified in the P-8 January 2012, stood up the P-8A Department and lead the Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Surface Warfare (SUW) weapons integration teams.

In November 2013, CDR Bierbach reported to Patrol Squadron SIXTEEN (VP-16) and served as the first Squadron Maritime Tactics Instructor (SMTI).  There he deployed on the P-8A’s inaugural deployment to INDOPACOM and was selected to the Chief of Naval Operation’s Rapid Innovation Cell (CRIC) where he lead an innovative ASW search program.

In November 2015, CDR Bierbach reported to the Naval War College and joined the Gravely Advance Research Program for innovative warfare. He graduated in November 2016 and reported to VP-30 for a quick refresher before returning to the Fleet as a Department Head.

In January 2017, CDR Bierbach rejoined the VP-45 Pelicans for his department head tour.  With the Pelicans, he made the P-8’s maiden deployment to the EUCOM, deployment to INDO-PACOM, led several major ASW detachments and was awarded the Copernicus Award in 2018.

Following his department head tour in August 2019, CDR Bierbach served as Future Operations officer and Theater Security Cooperation Officer on Combined Task Force 72. While on the Staff, he directly supported INDOPACOM requirements and C7F Campaign Plan for Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Force. CDR Bierbach has accumulated over 3,500 flight hours in P-3C and P-8A. His awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Medal, Navy Commendation Medal and Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal and various service awards and ribbons. He selected for squadron command in March 2020 and reported to VP-47 as Executive Officer in May 2021.

Last Updated: 14 June 2023