Captain Kate Hermsdorfer is a native of Simsbury, CT. She graduated with distinction from the United States Naval Academy in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics. CAPT Hermsdorfer holds Master of Science degrees in Meteorology and Physical Oceanography from the Naval Postgraduate School, and Operations Management from the University of Arkansas.

CAPT Hermsdorfer qualified as a Naval Flight Officer and served as an EA-6B Prowler Electronic Countermeasures Officer before transferring to the Meteorology and Oceanography community in 2010. She earned her Information Warfare Officer qualification in 2012.

At sea, CAPT Hermsdorfer served with the Lancers (VAQ-131) onboard the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). During that time, she qualified as an EA-6B mission commander and participated in tsunami relief in Indonesia. As an oceanographer, she served as meteorology and oceanography officer, strike operations officer, and officer of the deck underway for USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

CAPT Hermsdorfer previously commanded Naval Oceanography Mine Warfare Center – home of the world’s finest mine hunters- at Stennis, Mississippi. Her other shore tours include oceanography capabilities and requirements branch head and Naval deputy to NOAA liaison, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations Staff; operations officer, Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center; and policy and procedure assistant branch head, Naval Personnel Command. In January, she assumed command of Fleet Weather Center San Diego.

​CAPT Hermsdorfer’s awards include the 2005 EA-6B Student Flight Officer of the Year, the 2012 USS Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Navy Marine Association Peer Leadership, and numerous other individual, campaign, service, and unit awards. She is the proud wife of Joel and mother of Margaret.

Last Updated: 31 May 2023