Commander Andrew “Hard-G” Gerry is a native of Mystic, CT. He received his commission through the Reserve Officer Training Corps from the University of San Diego in 2008, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. Following commissioning, CDR Gerry conducted flight training at NAS Pensacola, Florida, NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, and NAS Whiting, Florida, earning his Wings of Gold in January of 2010. Subsequently, he reported to the Fleet Replacement Squadron, HSC-3, for training in the MH-60S.

Following completion of the FRS, CDR Gerry reported to the "Blackjacks" of HSC-21 for his first sea tour. Over the next three years, he deployed to Udairi Airfield, Kuwait, to fly MEDEVAC missions for the Naval Air Ambulance Detachment in support of OPERATION NEW DAWN, as well as on USS Boxer as Assistant Officer in Charge of the HSC-21-Armed Helicopter Detachment in support of 3rd, 5th, and 7th Fleet AORs. Additionally, he served as Quality Assurance Officer, overseeing an unprecedented perfect report on the command’s biennial Aviation Maintenance Inspection. 

Upon completing his tour with HSC-21, CDR Gerry returned to the “Merlins” of HSC-3 as an MH-60S flight instructor. During his tour, he served as Student Control Officer, facilitating the successful training of over 600 pilots across the community. In February of 2018, he was hand-selected to join the USS Essex air department as Assistant Air Officer (Miniboss), spearheading the Navy’s first F-35 Joint Strike Fighter deployment in support of OPERATION FREEDOM SENTINEL AND OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE. 

In June 2019, CDR Gerry was selected for department head and reported to VRM-30, the “Titans,” following an aircraft transition to the CMV-22 Osprey.  CDR Gerry served as the Safety, Training, Operations, and Maintenance Officer, supporting the stand-up and deployment of the Navy’s first two operational CMV-22B Carrier Onboard Delivery detachments for Carrier Strike Groups One and Three. He was awarded the Naval Helicopter Association’s 2022 Maintenance Officer of the Year, as well as the COMNAVAIRPAC Navy and Marine Corps Association community leadership award. 

After Department Head, CDR Gerry served as VRM Readiness Officer on Command Naval Air Forces (CNAF) staff. He volunteered for an individual augment deploying overseas to serve as Operations Officer and Foreign Liaison Officer for NAVCENT detachment Isa Air Base. Additionally, he augmented the UC-12 Bahrain detachment in support of logistics operations in the 5th fleet AOR. Upon returning from deployment, CDR Gerry attended the Naval War College in Newport, RI graduating with a Master of Arts in Defense and Strategic Studies.

Commander Gerry has logged over 2,100 flight hours in multiple helicopter, fixed-wing, and tilt-rotor aircraft. His personal decorations include various personal, unit, campaign, and service awards including a Meritorious Service Medal, four Navy medals of Commendation, and a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.