Patrick E. Gendron, CDR U.S. Navy, was born in Landstuhl, Germany and grew up in Standish Michigan, graduated from Ferris State University and Northwestern Michigan College in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and an Associates of Applied Science in Aviation Technology. He was commissioned as an Ensign in August of 1997 after completing Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida and was designated a Naval Aviator in June 2000.
Following initial Fleet Replacement Pilot training in the MH-53E, Commander Gendron reported to Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron FIFTEEN (HM-15) IN Corpus Christi, Texas where he served as Legal Officer, Flight Officer and Quality Assurance Officer and Qualified as Airborne Mine Countermeasures (AMCM) Mission Commander, Functional Check Pilot (FCP), Day/Night Deck Landing Qualification Instructor, and Assistant NATOPS Instructor in the MH-53E helicopter. During this periof he deployed aboard USS INCHON for WESTPAC01, and to the CENTCOM AOR in support of Naval and Coalition forces during OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF).
In February of 2004 Commander Gendron reported to Airborne Mine Countermeasures Weapon Systems Training School (AWSTS) where he served as a Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) MH-53E flight instructor, he also attended the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center and was designated the first MH-53E Sea Dragon Weapons and Tactics Unit Officer in Charge. Commander Gendron was hand selected to be one of the first MH-53E Night Vision Device Instructors (NVDI), receiving training from HMH-772. After successfully completing his training in Night Vision Devices and Naval Special Warfare he deployed to El Centro, California to train HC-4 aircrews in preparation for desert combat support operations in the FIFTH FLEET AOR.
Commander Gendron later attended Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island from 2007 to 2008 completing Joint Professional Military Education (JPME - Phase 1)and earning a Master's Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies.
After completing MH-53E refresher training, Commander Gendron reported back to HM-15 in July 2008 for his Department Head tour serving as Administration Officer, Operations Officer, and squadron Maintenance Officer. During this tour he also served as HM-15 Detachment TWO Officer in Charge and was responsible for over 100 personnel and four MH-53E helicopters forward deployed in the FIFTH FLEET AOR during OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF). Additionally, he was the pilot of choice for Presidential Cabinet tasking to clear the Calcasieu River of under water obstructions after hurricane Ike, ensuring freedom of movement of the nations petroleum products.
In January 2011 Commander Gendron reported to OPNAV N95 in Washignton D.C. as the Airborne Mine Countermeasures (AMCM) Requirements Officer where he diligently oversaw all AMCM programs totaling $1 billion, to include sustainment of the entire in-service AMCM community.
Commander Gendron assumed the duties as Executive Officer of HM-15 in May 2013. His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (3 awards), Navy Achievement Medal (3 awards), and various ofhter campaign awards and unit commendations.
Commander Gendron and his wife currently make their home in Chesapeake, Virginia with their son.