Lt. Eric Ruby Secures Position at the United States Naval Academy November 2016

2005 Upper Moreland grad, Lt. Eric Ruby, has just completed his second deployment as a helicopter pilot and trainer in the South China Sea. His next assignment is at the United States Naval Academy in November 2016 as Accessions Officer and Aviation Representative to the student body.

More on Eric:

LT Ruby was commissioned on 28 May 2010 from the United States Naval Academy (USNA). While attending, he joined the USNA Wrestling Team, led religious studies for students and civilians in the greater Annapolis area and held positions as a squad leader during Plebe Summer and 18th Company’s 2nd Platoon Commander. After graduating, he was selected to become a Naval Aviator and began the aviation pipeline in Pensacola, FL. LTJG Ruby was then selected for the helicopter community and completed Advanced Training in Milton, FL earning his Wings on 31 January 2013. He then commenced training at NS Mayport, FL, learning to command the SH-60B at HSM-40. Once finished, he moved to San Diego, CA and joined HSL-49 at NAS North Island.

Upon arriving, LTJG Ruby then completed his Helicopter Second Pilot and ACTC Level 2 designation in record time in order to be a deployable member of the squadron while assigned as a Naval Helicopter Association Representative and scheduling officer, where he was responsible for coordinating multiple helicopters, over sixty aircrew and hundreds of flight hours. LTJG Ruby was then hand selected to fill a short-fuse deployment due to loss of manning on a detachment. He joined HSL-49 DET 2 on USS INGRAHAM (FFG-61) conducting Counter Transnational Crime in 4th Fleet and participated in the multinational exercises UNITAS and SIFOREX. In union with the INGRAHAM, over $345 million in narcotics were confiscated and one of the highly elusive self-propelled, semi-submersible vessels used by Colombian cartels was captured. During port visits in South America, LT Ruby gave his time as part of COMRELs to the local communities.

LT Ruby returned home after a six months underway and pursued his HAC syllabus in order to help the squadron transition into HSM-49 and the MH-60R aircraft, maintaining dual aircraft qualifications for eight months. He assumed the title of Head Scheduling Officer and immediately began teaching and leading pilots and aircrew. After attaining his ACTC Level 3 designation, LT Ruby was then specifically chosen, again, and sent TAD to Japan in order to fill operational requirements for HSM-51 DET 4 as Operations Officer aboard USS SHILOH (CG-67). He operated and coordinated with the Ronald Reagan Strike Group in the heavily disputed South China Seas during the United Nations’ July 2016 ruling over territorial waters. During the ship’s one and only port visit in the Philippines, LT Ruby spent time with ADAP Foundation for the deaf and mute. Once more, LT Ruby was then hand picked to extend his TAD status with HSM-51 in support of Forward Deployed Naval Forces operations.

LT Ruby is scheduled to complete his tours with HSM-51 and HSM-49 in October 2016 and proceed back to the USNA as an Accessions Officer and an Aviation Representative to the students. LT Ruby’s awards and decorations include Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation (Gold star in lieu of second award), US Coast Guard Special Operations Service Ribbon and numerous other service awards.

Eric Ruby will be in town 17-19 September - take a minute to say hello!