A native of Linden, California, Senior Chief Justin K. Wright graduated from Linden High School in 1998.  He enlisted in February 2002 and reported to Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois. He conducted follow on training for Aviation Naval Aircrew Candidate, Aviation Rescue Swimmer, and Structural Mechanic “A” Schools.  After completion, he was advanced to Petty Officer Third Class.  In October 2002 he reported to NAS North Island, California for Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Training and the Fleet Replacement Aircrew training in the MH-60S with the “Merlins” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron THREE (HSC-3) where he was awarded his Naval Aircrewman Wings.   

In June 2003, he reported to his first operational command with the “Island Nights” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron TWENTY-FIVE (HSC-25) as a Rescue Swimmer and Aviation Structural Mechanic.  He completed three deployments in the Arabian and Persian Gulf aboard the USS Essex (LHD-2), USNS Niagara Falls (T-AFS-3), the USNS San Jose (T-AFS-7) in support of “Operation Iraqi Freedom”, and flew humanitarian efforts during “Operation Unified Assistance” in the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

His next assignment, in September 2005, was to HSC-3 as a Fleet Replacement Aircrew Candidate instructor and advanced to Petty Officer Second Class.  While assigned, he was an MH-60S instructor, Assistant Operations LPO and found his passion for teaching and mentoring the Fleet’s newest accessions.  

In November 2007, he was assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron EIGHT (HSC-8) where he served as the Enlisted NATOPS Program manager, qualified as a Strike Level 3 aircrewman, was recognized as Carrier Air Wing Nine, Aircrewman of the year for 2011, and meritoriously advanced to Petty Officer First Class.  He would deploy aboard the USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) and USS Mobile Bay (CG-53) during operations “New Dawn”, “Enduring Freedom” and “Green Flash”.

He returned to HSC-3 in May 2012, where he served under Commander Naval Air Forces, as the NATOPS Model Manager and completed a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice from University of Arizona. 

In September 2015 he reported to the “Golden Falcons” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron TWELVE (HSC-12) in Atsugi, Japan where he was again awarded Carrier Air Wing Nine, Aircrewman of the year for 2015, and promoted to Chief Petty Officer.  During his second Forward Deployed Naval Forces tenure he deployed aboard the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76).  During six annual Seventh Fleet patrols he participated in multi-national joint exercises “Talisman Saber”, “Valient Shield”, and “Keen Sword”. 

Upon his return state side, in November 2018, his next assignment would take him to the Pacific Northwest stationed at Naval Air Station, Whidbey Island, WA.  He served as a Helicopter Inland Rescue Aircrewman and Search and Rescue Operations Leading Chief Petty Officer. It was here that he was promoted to Senior Chief Petty Officer.  During this time, he received a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership, from the University of Massachusetts, and completed the Naval Senior Enlisted Academy. 

His next assignment would be in September 2021 with the “Chargers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron FOURTEEN (HSC-14), serving as Operations Department Leading Chief Petty Officer.  He deployed twice aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) in support of Carrier Strike Group Five’s 2022 WESTPAC, multi-national joint exercise Rim of the Pacific, Red Flag-Rescue and Operation “Poseidon Archer” in 2024.   

Senior Chief Wright is currently assigned to the Helicopter Sea Combat Weapons School Pacific as a Seahawk Weapons and Tactics Instructor and the Command Senior Enlisted Leader. He has accumulated over 4,500 hours of flight in the MH-60S aircraft and has been awarded the Air Medal, three Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals and various unit and campaign medals.  Senior Chief Wright is married to his wife Julie.
 

Last Updated: 20 August 2025