CAPT Wayne W. Andrews, III USN

A native of Hacienda Heights, CA, CAPT Andrews graduated with the Class of 1996 from the United States Naval Academy with a B.S. in Systems Engineering. He subsequently earned his wings of gold in July 1998.

Upon completion of Fleet Replacement Squadron training with the Warhawks of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron TEN (HS-10) in May of 1999, he joined the Eightballers of HS-8, homeported in San Diego, where he flew the SH-60F and HH-60H Seahawk helicopters. While there he served as Aviation Safety Officer and NATOPS officer. His tour included two deployments aboard USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN-74) where he participated in Operations SOUTHERN WATCH and ENDURING FREEDOM.

In 2002, CAPT Andrews returned to the Warhawks of HS-10 as a flight instructor where he served as Quality Assurance Officer and Safety Department Head. Following his tour at HS-10 he reported onboard the staff of Carrier Air Wing NINE as Helicopter Operations Officer. While there he deployed on the USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70) in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM and was selected as 2005 NHA Region One Shipboard Pilot of the Year.

CAPT Andrews once again joined the Eightballers of HS-8 in January 2007, completing two deployments on the USS JOHN C STENNIS (CVN-74) and led the squadron through the first operational carrier deployment of the MH-60S Armed Helicopter.

He served on the staff of the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff in the J3 Global Force Management Directorate from 2009 to 2012 where he produced the bi-weekly orders brief for the Secretary of Defense.

He reported in 2012 to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 22 and served as Commanding Officer from 2014 to 2015.

Subsequent tours included OPNAV N98 from 2015 to 2018 where he served as Rotary Wing Branch Head and led the Navy’s Future Vertical Lift acquisition initiative. He then served as the Future Operations Director (N35) and Director of Resources and Requirements (N8) for Commander, U.S. SIXTH Fleet and Commander Naval Forces Europe and Africa in Naples, Italy.

CAPT Andrews has received an M.S. in Global Leadership from the University of San Diego, and an M.S. in National Resource Strategy from the Eisenhower School at the National Defense University.

He is currently on the faculty of the Eisenhower School and resides in Alexandria, VA with his wife Tara, their sons, Colin (USNA ’25) and Liam, and daughters, Cate and McKenna.

His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit (two awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (Strike/Flight), Iraqi Campaign Medal, and various other unit and personal decorations. During his career he has accumulated over 3,000 Sikorsky flight hours.