Executive Officer
Cmdr. Steve "Smash" Bednash
A native of San Diego, California, Commander Bednash graduated from the University of Mary Washington in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. He commissioned through Officer Candidate School in 2007 and designated a Naval Aviator in 2009. He is a graduate of the U.S. Navy Rotary Wing Weapons School (SEAWOLF), Naval Postgraduate School, and the Joint Forces Staff College.
Operationally, he deployed with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 28 Detachment TWO aboard the USS Bataan (LHD 5), and with Detachment One to Naples, Italy. He completed his training officer tour with HSC-8, attached to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11, deploying aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68), and his department head tour with HSC-11, attached to CVW-1, deploying aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75).
His shore assignments include safety officer and subject matter expert in Special Operations Forces support, Airborne Mine Countermeasures, and U.S. Coast Guard Airborne Use of Force-Counter Drug operations while assigned to the HSC Weapons School, Pacific; and technical teams deputy branch chief and operations branch chief for Environment Operations Division, Deputy Director for Joint Training, Joint Staff J-7.
Cmdr. Bednash’s awards include the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (two awards), and the Battle Efficiency Award (four awards).