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HM-15 Menu

Commanding Officer
Cmdr. Andrew "Bull" Countiss


Cmdr. Andrew “Bull” Countiss, a native of Severna Park, Maryland, graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and a minor in German. He reported to Pensacola, Florida, for initial flight training and was designated a naval aviator in May 2008. Upon completion of flight school, he received orders to the Airborne Mine Countermeasures Weapon Systems Training School (AWSTS) for training in the mighty MH-53E Sea Dragon.
 
Countiss reported to Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) 15 in 2009 and made several deployments to the 5th Fleet area of responsibility as part of HM-15 DET II and embedded with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit in 2010 as part of a Task Force Ghazi in Ghazi, Pakistan.
 
Upon completion of his initial sea tour, he reported to AWSTS as a fleet replacement squadron (FRS) instructor pilot. During this tour, he completed the Sea Dragon Weapons and Tactics Instructor (SWTI) syllabus as well as his Executive Master’s in Business Administration through the Naval Postgraduate School.
 
Countiss completed a forward-deployed naval forces disassociated sea tour with Mine Countermeasures Squadron (MCMRON) 7 in Sasebo, Japan, from 2015 to 2017. While at MCMRON-7, he served as the N52 (airborne mine countermeasure plans officer) and N5 (future operations officer). In this capacity, he oversaw increased integration of airborne mine countermeasure assets in 7th Fleet and planned numerous bilateral and multinational live force exercises with regional partner nations, enhancing interoperability and cooperation.
 
He then reported to his department head tour at HM-15 in 2017 and served as admin officer, DET II officer in charge, and maintenance officer.
 
Following his department head tour, he was assigned to Navy Personnel Command in Millington, Tennessee. Within PERS-43, he served as the helicopter shore assignments officer and aviation sea/shore coordinator. While attached to PERS-43, he completed JPME Phase I through Air Command and Staff College and was selected for operational aviation command.
 
He assumed command of HM-15 in April 2023.
 
Countiss’ personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (three awards), and the Navy Achievement Medal as well as various unit and campaign awards.
 

 
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