Rear Adm. Eric Gardner grew up in an Army family across the world and graduated from high school in Woodbridge, Virginia. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science in Ocean Engineering. He later earned a Master of Science in Aviation Systems from the University of Tennessee in 2007 and completed the Naval Air Systems Leadership Development Program in 2014.

Following designation as a Naval Flight Officer (NFO), RDML Gardner reported to Patrol Squadron (VP) 4, the "Skinny Dragons," where he served as an NFO instructor and training officer. From 2001 to 2002, he flew as mission commander on numerous combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

In 2004, Gardner graduated with Class 127 from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland. He subsequently served as a test project officer at Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 20, leading flight test efforts for the P-3C Littoral Surveillance Radar System and early development of the P-8A Poseidon.

In 2007, Gardner reported as an avionics systems project officer during initial mission systems integration for the P-8A. In 2009, he joined the Naval Air Traffic Management Systems Program Office (PMA-213) as Integrated Product Team (IPT) Lead for the Joint Precision Approach and Landing System (JPALS) Increments 1A and 1B, directing integration across U.S. Navy ships, the F-35C, and various air platforms. He returned to the P-8A program in 2011 as Assistant Program Manager for Systems Engineering (Class Desk Engineer), guiding all engineering through developmental/operational testing, Initial Operational Capability (IOC), and the platform's inaugural deployment.

Selected to represent the Aerospace Engineering Duty Officer (AEDO) community, Gardner served as community detailer at Navy Personnel Command from 2014 to 2016. He then reported to the Advanced Sensors Technology Program Office as Deputy Program Manager and IPT Lead for the Advanced Airborne Sensor radar and Littoral Surveillance Radar System.

From 2018 to 2020, Gardner served as Executive Assistant to Commander, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR). In 2020, he assumed command as Program Manager for the Maritime Patrol & Reconnaissance Aircraft Program Office (PMA-290), directing total life-cycle management for the P-8A Poseidon, P-3C Orion, EP-3E Aries, Special Projects Aircraft, and international programs.

RDML Gardner most recently served as Vice Commander, Naval Air Systems Command.

In his current role, Gardner serves as the principal deputy leading a multi-billion-dollar organization responsible for the rapid development, procurement, and delivery of naval munitions and strike capabilities. In this role, he oversees key weapons programs and aligns the industrial base to accelerate production, increase capacity, and equip the fleet with critical munitions.

Gardner has accumulated over 2,000 flight hours across 12 different aircraft types, models, and series. His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Strike/Flight Air Medal, and various campaign, unit, and service awards.

Last Updated: 13 August 2026