Commanding Officer
Cmdr. Gabe Edwards
Cmdr. Gabe Edwards, a native of Oakland, Oregon, graduated from Norfolk State University in 2006, through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) program. He was commissioned in May 2006, and designated a naval aviator in February 2008. After earning wings, Edwards completed initial Fleet Replacement Pilot training on the MH-60S Seahawk helicopter at Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 2 and reported to the Sea Knights of HSC-22. While assigned to HSC-22, Edwards supported operations across U.S. 5th Fleet, aboard USS Bataan (LHD 5) and USS Kearsarge (LHD 3). His deployed missions consisted of various national tasks, United Nations Operation Odyssey Dawn and NATO Operation Unified Protector.
Edwards was then assigned to the “Red Wolves” of HSC-84 in 2012, where he deployed ashore four times in support of the U.S. Special Operations Command Central (USSOCCENT) Crisis Response Element. Then, in 2015, he transferred to Naval Special Warfare Group (NSWG) 4 as the air-to-ground fires officer and Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC). There, he managed the JTAC program and global force management for NSWG-4.
Edwards’ follow-on assignment was to the "Firehawks" of HSC-85 from 2017 to 2020, where he deployed twice in support of U.S. Special Operations Command Pacific (USSOCPAC) and headed several squadron departments. He was then assigned to U.S. Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM) as a branch and division chief for cyberspace exercises and wargames, J71. Following USCYBERCOM, he served as the Executive Officer for HSC-5.
He now serves as the Commanding Officer of HSC-5 as of July 2025.
Edwards has accumulated more than 2,000 flight hours in the SH-60F, HH-60H, and MH-60S helicopter airframes. He holds a Master of Science degree in Applied Information Management from the University of Oregon, a Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) Phase I certification from the U.S. Air Force Air Command and Staff College, and JPME Phase II certificate from the National Defense University (NDU). His personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), and various unit and campaign awards.