Lieutenant Colonel Gilbertson is a native of Prosser, Washington. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in February 2008. Upon completion of The Basic School, Lieutenant Colonel Gilbertson attended flight training in Corpus Christi, Texas and Pensacola, Florida and was designated a Naval Aviator in September 2010. Lieutenant Colonel Gilbertson reported to HMLAT-303 in Camp Pendleton, California for training as a UH-1N pilot.
In May 2011, Lieutenant Colonel Gilbertson received orders to MAG-29 where he was assigned to the “Gunrunners” of HMLA-269. During this tour, Lieutenant Colonel Gilbertson deployed on the 31st MEU with the “Dragons” of HMM-265 (Reinforced), to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) with the “Sabers” of HMLA-467, and on an Indo-PACOM Unit Deployment Program (UDP) rotation to Okinawa, Japan with the “Gunrunners” of HMLA-269. Lieutenant Colonel Gilbertson was designated a UH-1Y Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI).
In September 2016, Lieutenant Colonel Gilbertson received orders to Marine Special Operations Company Hotel (MSOC-H), 2D Marine Raider Battalion, to serve as the company Air / Fires Officer. He deployed with MSOC-H to Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) serving as the Air / Fires Officer for Special Operations Task Force – North.
In September 2018, Lieutenant Colonel Gilbertson received orders to Marine Helicopter Squadron One where he flew multiple missions as the aircraft commander during Presidential and Vice-Presidential missions and attained the designation of Marine One Pilot.
In April 2022, Lieutenant Colonel Gilbertson received orders to the “Vipers” of HMLA-169 where he served as the Aircraft Maintenance Officer and later the Executive Officer and deployed to Okinawa, Japan in support of an Indo-PACOM UDP.
In April 2024, Lieutenant Colonel Gilbertson assumed command of HMLA-269 and commanded the “Gunrunners” until April 2026.
In June 2026, Lieutenant Colonel Gilbertson joined the 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit where he serves as the Executive Officer.