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Lt. Cmdr. Erickson takes over center |
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Wednesday, 21 March 2007 |
LCDR Gregory J. Erickson, son of Jim and Connie Erickson of Helena and Lyle Dyer of Billings and the grandson of Lyle and Annie Dyer of Brady, is the new commanding officer of the Naval Operational Support Center, Amityville, N.Y. Ceremonies took place on Feb. 10 at Farmingdale, N.Y. LCDR Gregory J. Erickson was commissioned in 1992 aboard the USS Constitution from the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps program. Raised in Livingston, Mont., LCDR Erickson graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering. Erickson reported to flight school at Pensacola, Fla., and earned the designation of Naval Aviator. His initial sea tour was the Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Two (HS2) flying SH-60F and HH-60H (Seahawk) helicopters. While with HS 2 he deployed to the Persian Golf aboard the USS Constellation and qualified as a Helicopter Aircraft Commander (HAC) and Functional Check Flight (FCF) pilot. Following duty as an instructor pilot at Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Ten (HS 10), Erickson applied for transition and was accepted to Training and Administration of Reserves (TAR) program. He was assigned to Helicopter Combat Support Special Squadron Five (HCS 5) based at NAS North Island, Calif.
In March 2003, Erickson deployed with HCS 5 to Kuwait as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. HCS 5 was assigned to the Joint Special Operations Air Detachment and flew missions in direct support of Navy Seals, Army Special Forces, Polish “Grom” and Iraqi Counter Terrorism Forces, Over the next two years, LCDR Erickson deployed three times to Iraq and flew over 70 combat missions. The president of the United States described Erickson’s actions on one such mission with the following statement: “Under extremely demanding night time conditions and while subjected to enemy gunfire, Lieutenant Commander Erickson performed courageously.” Prior to assignment to Amityville, he attended the Naval War College in Newport, R.I., where he completed a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. LCDR Erickson’s awards include the Air Medal (with combat distinguishing service), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon and Sikorsky Aircraft Rescue Award. Erickson spent several summers working for Gary Dyer of Brady. His address is: Gregory Erickson, 8 Sheridan Ave., Babylon, N.Y 11702
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