Commodore
Capt. John Anderson 

Capt. John Anderson is a 2000 graduate of the United States Naval Academy and holds an Executive Master of Business Administration degree from the Naval Postgraduate School.  Upon commissioning, he reported to Pensacola, Florida, for flight training and was designated a naval aviator in March 2002. 
 
His operational flying assignments include tours at Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 49, Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 71, and HSM-73, where he deployed five times onboard USS Fletcher (DD 992), USS Ingraham (FFG 61), USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), USS Mobile Bay (CG 53), and USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71).  During these tours, he flew in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Enduring Freedom (OEF), and New Dawn (OND) while filling the capstone billets of squadron NATOPS officer, operations officer, maintenance officer, and commanding officer.  Anderson’s command tour with the World Famous “BattleCats” of HSM-73 successfully concluded in July 2019. 
 
Ashore, Anderson served as a fleet replacement squadron instructor pilot at HSM-41 in the SH-60B and MH-60R.  In addition to instructional duties, he served as squadron safety department head, Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing U.S. Pacific Fleet (HSMWP) night vision device program manager, and SH-60B NATOPS evaluator for Commander, Naval Air Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet.  Following this tour, Anderson accepted an OIF Global War on Terrorism Support Assignment (GSA) and was stationed at the United States Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, as liaison between the Multi-National Force-Iraq Resource Management office and the United States Treasury Department. Anderson was then selected to serve as flag aide to the Commandant, Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy, followed by a tour as flag aide to the President, National Defense University.  In April 2014, Anderson reported to the United States European Command (EUCOM) Directorate for Policy, Strategy, Partnering, and Capabilities (J5) where he served as country desk officer for thirteen countries as well as the divisional branch chief for Western Europe.  In August 2019, Anderson reported to the Naval Personnel Command where he served as the deputy director of PERS-43 until March 2021.  In 2021, Anderson reported to Commander, Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing Atlantic as the deputy commodore. He assumed command of HSM-79, the East Coast’s only forward deployed naval forces HSM squadron, as their interim commanding officer from April to August 2023. He assumed command as the Wing’s 23rd Commodore in August 2023.     
 
Anderson is a joint qualified officer and a recipient of the 2013 CHSMWP Moose Donovan Officer Leadership Award.  Additional personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), and numerous campaign and unit awards.