Aviation Structural Mechanic Chief Petty Officer (AW/SW) Eric Wendt

Chief Petty Officer Eric Wendt reported to US Navy Basic Training on August 6, 1991, in San Diego, California. Upon graduation, Eric was stationed onboard the USS Nimitz, CVN-68 in Bremerton, Washington. He was assigned to V-1 Division as a Blue Shirt, Tractor Driver, and a Flight Deck Aircraft

Director. He deployed with them in 1993 to the Persian Gulf for "Operation Southern Watch”.

Eric then reported to AMS "A” school at NATTC Millington, TN in June 1993. Upon graduation he was promoted to 3^rd Class Petty Officer and reported to the VQ-3 "Ironmen” at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. While at VQ-3 he worked in the Corrosion Control and Airframes shops. He also participated in the aftermath of the Oklahoma City bombing by helping to bring needed supplies to the rescue workers. In 1996 he transferred to the VAQ-129 "Vikings” at Whidbey Island, WA and worked in the Pod Pool and Phase Inspections shop. He was promoted to 2^nd Class Petty Officer during this time.

In early 1999 he decided to leave the US Navy and move back to Wichita, KS where he worked for Raytheon (Beech) Aircraft and Cessna Aircraft as a sheet metal mechanic. He decided to rejoin the US Navy in September 1999 and was able to retain his former rank.

He was then assigned to the VAQ-140 "Patriots” in the Airframes Shop and Quality Assurance Department where he deployed with them in 2000 (USS Eisenhower, CVN-69) "Operation Southern Watch” and 2002 (USS John F Kennedy, CV-67) "Operation Enduring Freedom”. During this assignment he was promoted to 1^st Class Petty Officer. In 2003 he was transferred to The Center for Naval Leadership (CNL) at Whidbey Island, WA to be a Naval Leadership Facilitator. He was certified as a "Master Training Specialist” while assigned to CNL.

In 2007 he was transferred to the VAQ-137 "Rooks” and deployed onboard the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) to the Persian Gulf in support of "Operation Enduring Freedom”. In 2008 he was promoted to Chief Petty Officer and was reassigned to the VAQ-133 "Wizards” and met them in Bagram Afghanistan from November 2008 until March 2009. He would deploy with them again to Al Asad, Iraq from November 2009 to June 2010. He would deploy again with them to the USS John C Stennis (CVN-74) in support of "Operation New Dawn” from August 2011 to March 2012. While assigned to the VAQ-133 "Wizards” he was assigned as a Maintenance Admin Chief, Flight Deck Coordinator, and the Leading Chief Petty Officer of Maintenance Control. He was qualified as a "Safe for Flight” authorized release agent for the aircraft. His unit was nominated for the Secretary of Defense "Phoenix” award as the best "Aircraft Maintenance Department” in the Navy and received the Navy Battle "E” Award.

His final assignment was to the Naval Air Logistics’ Command (NAVAIR), 6.7.5.2 Special Skills Training Office at Patuxent River, MD. He was the Course Curriculum Model Manager for the Navy/Marine Corps Corrosion Control and Paint and Final Finish Courses. He was also the training lead on the NAE Corrosion Prevention Team and Corrosion Fleet Focus Team. He retired from the US Navy in October 2014.

Chief Petty Officer Eric Wendt has been awarded the Navy Commendation Medal (3), Navy Achievement Medal (4), Navy Good Conduct Medal (7), National Defense Service Medal (2), Global War on Terrorism Medals, Humanitarian Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (7), and various other service medals and ribbons.

He currently resides in Lakeville, MN with his wife Amanda of 30 years and their dog Zeus. He has two grown children, Kendra and Brandon, who live in Burnsville, MN.