LtCol Drozd is a native of Hillsborough, New Jersey. He was commissioned in May of 2007 upon graduation from The Citadel with a Bachelor of Arts in German and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. 2ndLt Drozd graduated from The Basic School in January 2008 with a competitive Aviation Contract, reported to Naval Air Training Command in Pensacola, Florida in April 2008, promoted to 1stLt in April 2009, and was designated a Naval Aviator in January 2010.
In February of 2010 1stLt Drozd reported to HMT-302 for initial CH-53E pilot training before reporting to HMH-465 in September 2010 and promoted to Captain in July 2011. During his first fleet tour Captain Drozd deployed as part of the 31st MEU 2011 Fall Patrol aboard USS Essex with HMM-265 (REIN), Operation Enduring Freedom 12.2 with HMH-361, and the 15th MEU 2015 Patrol aboard USS Essex with VMM-161 (REIN). Captain Drozd graduated from Weapons and Tactics Course 2-14 and graduated from Expeditionary Warfare School (EWS) Non-Resident in 2015 before being selected on the 2016 Commandants Career Level Education Board for EWS Resident School.
In June of 2016 Captain Drozd reported to EWS Resident School, MCB Quantico and graduated the course as an honor graduate in May 2017. In June of 2017 Captain Drozd reported to HMHT-302 at MCAS New River for duties as a Fleet Replacement Squadron Instructor Pilot and was promoted to Major in July 2017. While at “Phoenix”, Major Drozd served as the Assistant Maintenance officer, Maintenance officer, and Operation officer. He additionally led 9 Detachments for Training as the Detachment OIC and personally contributed to CH-53E Replacement Aircrew production goals were achieved during his 3 years with HMHT-302.
In July of 2020, Major Drozd checked into HMH-466 where he served as the Operations Officer and Executive Officer. During his time with the “Wolfpack”, he led and oversaw operations in support of Steel Knight 20 and Summer Fury 21, as well as 4 Detachments for Training. In October of 2021, Major Drozd deployed to Okinawa in order to lead the CH-53E Detachment of 56 Marines and 1 Sailor assigned to VMM-265 (REIN) in support of the 31st MEU Spring Patrol aboard USS America. Major Drozd additionally augmented HMH-466 22.1 UDP in support of Balikatan 2022 in March 2022 before returning from deployment in May 2022.
In July of 2022, Major Drozd reported to MCAS Beaufort to serve as the Air Station Operations Officer and promoted to LtCol in December 2022. At MCAS Beaufort he served as the 2023 MCAS Beaufort Air Show Military Air Boss in April 2023, served as the Air Mission Commander during a F-35B Joint Search and Recovery Team in September 2023, coordinated airfield operations in support of 5 unit deployments, and personally flew over 97 JOSAC missions in the UC-12M which contributed to “Fox” being selected as the JOSAC Unit of the Year for 2023 and 2024. In March of 2025 LtCol Drozd reported to MAG-16 in lieu of taking command.
During his career, LtCol Drozd has accumulated over 3500 MISHAP Free Flight Hours, with over 2300 hours in the CH-53E, over 1000 Hours in the UC-12M, and over 1000 Hours on Night Vision Goggles. His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with numeral 2, and Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with 2 Gold Stars in lieu of third award.