Eric Hanks

Captain Eric Hanks is a U.S. Navy officer with over 26 years of experience in
organizational leadership, aviation operations, financial management, and political-
military strategic affairs. He is currently the Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station
Whidbey Island and the Commander of the Northwest Training Range Complex. Naval
Air Station Whidbey Island hosts critical national defense capabilities, to include the EA-
18G Growler, P-8 Poseidon, and the Theater Undersea Surveillance Command Pacific.
Following designation as a Naval Aviator in August 1999, Captain Hanks qualified in the
P-3C Orion anti-submarine and maritime surveillance aircraft. He has amassed over
3,300 flight hours in various naval aircraft while training and conducting global combat
operations, to include operations in every geographic combatant command area of
responsibility.
Eric’s senior staff and joint force assignments are extensive with experience in special
operations, political-military strategic analysis and wargaming, and financial
management. He served as the U.S. Africa Command Defense Sensitive Support Officer
and Special Activities Officer; the Joint Staff Studies, Analysis, and Gaming Division
Deputy Division Chief and senior military wargame analyst; and the Executive Assistant
to the Chief of Naval Operations Programming Division Director.
A native of Jennings, LA, Eric is a 1997 graduate of the United States Naval Academy
where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science. He is also a 2016
graduate of the National War College, with a Master’s degree in National Security
Strategy.
Married for over 26 years, Renee and Eric are thoroughly enjoying the many adventures
and opportunities within the Pacific Northwest.