Executive Officer
Cmdr. Brian Cramer
A native of Manhattan, IL, Cmdr. Cramer graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 2008, earning a Bachelor of Science in Applied Meteorology. CDR Cramer was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Program and reported to NAS Pensacola, Florida for flight training in 2008. He earned his Naval Aviator Wings in December 2010. In January 2011, Cmdr. Cramer reported to HSC-3 for initial MH-60S training.
Cmdr. Cramer began his operational flying in September 2011 with the “Island Knights” of HSC-25. He deployed aboard USS ESSEX (LHD 2) and USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6). Following this tour, Cmdr. Cramer attended the Seahawk Weapons and Tactics Instructor School in Fallon, NV and transferred to Helicopter Sea Combat Weapons School Atlantic (HSCWSL) in Norfolk, VA.
Cmdr. Cramer reported to HSCWSL in December 2014 where he became a subject matter expert on Strike Coordination and Reconnaissance (SCAR), Restricted Waters Transit (RWT), Multi-Spectral Targeting System (MTS), and Precision Guided Munitions. Cmdr. Cramer led the development of the Attack Hand Control Unit, which utilized 3D printing to improve ergonomics and increase precision weapon accuracy against moving targets. Additionally, Cmdr. Cramer led the development of the Mixed Load Enhanced Targeting Capability, which merged precision and non-precision weapon employment to optimize the number of targets destroyed in a single attack.
Cmdr. Cramer returned to the fleet as a Training Officer for the HSC-7 “Dusty Dogs” in Norfolk, VA. During this time, he facilitated squadron workups while developing systems that improved pilot and aircrew qualifications. Cmdr. Cramer was the Officer in Charge of a groundbreaking Detachment to MacDill AFB in Florida, where the weapons qualifications for the upcoming deployment on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) were generated in a single week.
Following his Training Officer tour, Cmdr. Cramer reported as a Department Head to the HSC-21 “Blackjacks” in San Diego, CA. While with the Blackjacks, he completed multiple underways as detachment officer in charge aboard USS Essex in support of COVID-19 response and the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC). At home, Cmdr. Cramer served as both training officer and maintenance officer, where he wrote the playbook on new maintenance metrics to support “Fight Tonight” and pioneered the addition of the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) to the LHD.
Following his department head tour, Cmdr. Cramer served as an action officer, Joint Staff, J-35 Deputy Directorate for Regional Operations (DDRO). While on the Joint Staff, he directly supported the DDRO as a member of the Rotational and Emergent Global Force Management Teams.
Cmdr. Cramer has accumulated over 2,500 flight hours in the MH-60S. His awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal (2 awards), Joint Service Achievement Medal, and Navy Commendation Medal (4 awards), and various service awards and ribbons.