Executive Officer
Cmdr. Rob "Eggs" Benedict 

Cmdr. Rob “Eggs” Benedict is a native of Harrisburg, PA and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering. After attending Primary at VT-28 in Corpus Christi, TX, he was winged at HT-18 in Pensacola FL in December 2008. Subsequently, Benedict was assigned to the SH-60B Fleet Replacement Squadron with the “Seawolves” of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light-40 (HSL-40) in Jacksonville, Florida.

Operationally, Benedict served as detachment maintenance officer and Quality Assurance Officer (QAO) with the “Scorpions” of HSL-49 in San Diego, CA from 2009-2012 deploying on the USS Vandegrift (FFG 48) and USS Rentz (FFG 46). Additionally, he was the Fuels Officer and Air Boss on USS San Diego (LPD 22) from 2015-2017 where the ship was awarded the Battle Efficiency “E”. He then transitioned to the MH-60R and returned to the “Scorpions”, now HSM-49, as a department head, serving as a Detachment OIC onboard USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) and squadron Maintenance Officer from 2018-2020. While there, he was recognized as the squadron’s Officer of the Year.

Cmdr. Benedict’s shore assignments include a billet as a flight instructor in the TH-57B/C with the “Eightballers” of Helicopter Training Squadron-8 (HT-8) from 2012-2015. While there he was awarded HT-8’s pilot of the year in 2014. Most recently, he served at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Casteau, Belgium as a Force Generation and Readiness officer for the NATO Response Force during the invasion of Ukraine.

Cmdr. Benedict has deployed operationally from the West Coast to U.S. 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th Fleets and has accumulated over 3,100 flight hours across four series of naval helicopters. His personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, four Navy Commendation medals and various personal awards, and he has a Master of Science in Systems Engineering from Johns Hopkins University.