A native of upstate New York, Commander Josh DuFore graduated from Villanova University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. He also holds a Master of Business Administration degree with a focus in finance from the Whitman School at Syracuse University. He completed primary flight training with Training Squadron (VT) 27 in Corpus Christi, Texas, and rotary wing training with Helicopter Training Squadron (HT) 28 in Milton, Florida. He earned his “wings of gold” in March of 2011 and reported to Airborne Mine Countermeasures Weapon Systems Training School (AWSTS) in Norfolk, Virginia for fleet replacement training in the MH-53E.

At sea, he served with the “Blackhawks” of Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) 15, where he deployed multiple times to the Kingdom of Bahrain in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Inherent Resolve, and Commander, Task Force (CTF) 52. He also served as the Assistant Air Officer/Mini Boss onboard USS America (LHA 6) supporting operations in the Gulf of Oman. While onboard, he earned his command duty officer (CDO) and officer of the deck (OOD) underway qualifications. He returned to HM-15 as a department head where he deployed as detachment officer-in-charge (OIC) to the Kingdom of Bahrain in support of CTF-52. Upon his return from deployment, he became the Maintenance Officer for HM-15, the largest operational helicopter squadron in the Navy.

Ashore, he served at HM-12 as a Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) instructor pilot holding the positions of Maintenance Officer and Standardization Officer. Additionally, he served as the Helicopter Sea Assignments Officer at PERS-43, Navy Personnel Command (NPC) in Millington, Tennessee. Following his tour at NPC, he reported to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 2 and HSC-3 for initial training in the MH-60S.

Commander DuFore has flown over 1,900 rotary wing flight hours in the TH-57B/C, MH-53E, and MH-60S helicopters. His personal decorations include the Navy Commendation Medal (five awards), Navy Achievement Medal, and various unit and campaign awards.