SPEAKER

Captain Andy “Big Tuna” Berner is a Naval Aviator that has recently earned his Information Warfare Officer designation.  Originally from Chatham, New Jersey, he graduated with merit from the United States Naval Academy in 1996 with a major in Systems Engineering and a minor in Spanish.  He holds a Masters in Operations Research from the Naval Postgraduate School and a Masters in Defense Technology and Systems from the National University of Singapore (Temasek Defense Systems Institute).

CAPT Andy Berner, USN

Commanding Officer
Naval Information Warfare Systems Command, Space Field Activitiy

Captain Andy “Big Tuna” Berner is a Naval Aviator that has recently earned his Information Warfare Officer designation.  Originally from Chatham, New Jersey, he graduated with merit from the United States Naval Academy in 1996 with a major in Systems Engineering and a minor in Spanish.  He holds a Masters in Operations Research from the Naval Postgraduate School and a Masters in Defense Technology and Systems from the National University of Singapore (Temasek Defense Systems Institute). 

Captain Berner’s early operational assignments include HSL-43, where he flew the SH-60B and deployed in USS INGRAHAM (FFG 61) and USS RODNEY M. DAVIS (FFG 60).  He also served as Quality Assurance Officer.  As “MiniBoss” aboard USS WASP (LHD 1), he completed numerous underway exercises and a surge deployment in support of operations in Lebanon.  Captain Berner completed his Department Head tour with HSL-51 in Atsugi, Japan as Detachment THREE Officer in Charge aboard USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63) and USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73).   He also served as Maintenance Officer when HSL-51 earned the
2009 “Golden Wrench” and “Battle E” awards. 

Captain Berner transitioned to the MH-60R and served as the Commanding Officer of HSM-73.  He led the “BattleCats” throughout a ten month combat deployment in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE with 12 aircraft and 310 personnel on five different ships including USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70).  During his tenure, HSM-73 earned the 2014 and 2015 Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Aviation Safety awards, the 2014 Captain Arnold J. Isbell award for Undersea Warfare and Surface Warfare excellence, and the
2015 “Battle E” award.

Captain Berner’s shore tours include Aide to Commander, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR), assignment to The Joint Staff as Operations Officer within the Joint Operations Directorate, United States Central Command Division (JODCENT) and Executive Assistant to the Deputy Director for Regional Operations (J-33).   Captain Berner also served on the OPNAV staff as an Operations Analyst and the Undersea Warfare Branch Head for the Director, Assessments Division (N81).  

Most recently, Captain Berner now serves as the Commanding Officer of the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR) Space Field Activity (NSFA) where he leads the Navy Element at the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and is the Co-Chair of the Naval NRO Coordination Group (NNCG).

Captain Berner has several personal decorations, but he is most proud of the unit awards that reflect credit on the successful teams he has served with and the many skilled professionals he has been privileged to work alongside.

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Originally aired: February 24, 2021