Lt. Cmdr. Austin “Waffles” Gallegos, a native of Alabama, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics and was commissioned in 2014. He completed primary flight training at Training Squadron (VT) 28 and Advanced Flight Training at Helicopter Training Squadron (HT) 8, earning his wings of gold in May 2016.

His operational assignments include Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 51, Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan, and Royal Australian Navy (RAN) 725 Squadron, HMAS Albatross, Australia. While in Japan, he deployed onboard USS Chancellorsville (CG 62), USS Antietam (CG 54), and USS Mustin (DDG 89) in support of 7th Fleet operational tasking. While in Australia, he served as a personnel exchange program pilot in the MH-60R standards department with the RAN.

Ashore, Gallegos served as the H-60 operations officer, command search and rescue (SAR) program officer, and MH-60R operational test director at Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 1, Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland.

He assumed his current duties as assistant officer in charge at Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit Lemoore Detachment Point Mugu, California, in March 2026.

He has accumulated over 1,600 flight hours in four different type/model/series aircraft and more than 250 shipboard landings.

His personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various other service awards. 
 

Last Updated: 20 March 2026