Jacksonville, FL - Patrol Squadron (VP) SIXTEEN’s Maintenance Master Chief Petty Officer Gary Cummins retired from active duty with 30 years of active service in Jacksonville, FL.
Master Chief Cummins was born in Miami, FL. He graduated from Riverdale High School of Fort Myers, FL in June 1989. He enlisted in the Navy in August 1989 and attended boot camp in San Diego, CA.
After completion of basic training, he attended Aviation Structural Mechanic “A” School in Millington, TN. His first duty assignment was Electronic Attack Squadron (VQ) 33, homeported at Key West, FL in 1990.
Master Chief Cummins served with Patrol Squadron (VP) 30, Patrol Squadron (VP) 46, the Naval Air Technical Training Center, Special Projects Patrol Squadron (VPU) 2, Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing (CPRW) 11, Patrol Squadron (VP) 8, Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 40, and Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing Atlantic (COMHSMWINGLANT).
He joined Patrol Squadron (VP) 16 in March 2017 and deployed with the “War Eagles” to the Sixth and Seventh Fleet Areas of Responsibility. “Master Chief Cummins’ unparalleled professionalism and unwavering dedication to the entire [Maintenance] Department’s excellence at the basics have been critical to the success we have experienced over the past two deployments. I am honored to have served alongside him,” said the VP-16 Maintenance Officer, Lieutenant Commander Joe Dugan.
Master Chief Cummins personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (six awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (four awards), the Good Conduct Medal (nine awards), and other personal, service, and unit awards.