CDR Jeffrey “Frank” Gruetzmacher, a native of Oak Harbor, Washington, graduated from Texas A&M University in December 2008 and was designated a Naval Aviator in January 2011.
 
After initial training in the MH-60R, CDR Gruetzmacher reported to the “Wolf Pack” of HSM-75 at NAS North Island, California.  At HSM-75 he deployed as part of Carrier Strike Group ELEVEN with the HSM-75 DET 3 onboard USS WILLIAM P. LAWRENCE (DDG-110), onboard USS NIMITZ (CVN-68), and with HSM-75 DET 1 onboard USS STOCKDALE (DDG-106) to the 5^th and 7^th Fleet AORs. While at HSM-75, CDR Gruetzmacher served as the Quality Assurance Officer and Detachment Maintenance Officer.
 
 In January 2015, CDR Gruetzmacher reported to the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center (NSAWC), NAS Fallon, Nevada and completed the United States Navy Rotary Wing Weapons School.  Upon designation as a Seahawk Weapons and Tactics Instructor in April 2015, CDR Gruetzmacher reported to Helicopter Maritime Strike Weapons School Pacific (HSMWSP) at NAS North Island, California.  While at HSMWSP he held the billets of Device Systems Officer and ASW Program Manager.  CDR Gruetzmacher was named the 2017 HSMWSP Pilot of the Year. 
 
In December 2017, CDR Gruetzmacher transferred to the “Griffins” of HSM-79 at NAS North Island, California.  Serving as the Squadron Weapons and Tactics Instructor and Training Officer, CDR Gruetzmacher led the squadron through its initial Optimized Fleet Response Plan training cycle and deployment to the 6^th and 5^th Fleet AORs aboard USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72). CDR Gruetzmacher was named HSM-79 Pilot of the Year and Tactician of the Year in 2018. 
 
CDR Gruetzmacher reported to the “Blue Hawks” of HSM-78 at NAS North Island, California in September of 2019 for his Department Head tour. While at HSM-78, CDR Gruetzmacher served as the squadron Training Department Head and Operations Officer, deploying aboard USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70) to the 7^th Fleet AOR. CDR Gruetzmacher was named the HSM-78 Tactician of the Year in 2020.
 
After his Department Head tour, CDR Gruetzmacher reported to the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center (NAWDC), NAS Fallon, Nevada. While assigned to NAWDC, CDR Gruetzmacher led the standup of SEAHUNTER, the MH-60R Weapons School, and served as the SEAHUNTER Assistant Department Head, the HSM SME in the Integrated Warfighting Cell, and the N5 STRIKE HSM Air Wing Fallon Training Lead. 
 
CDR Gruetzmacher has completed 3,300 flight hours and 917 shipboard landings, and has been awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and various campaign, unit, and service awards. He and his wife, Jordan, have a son, Jack (2).