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Marines


Biography

 

Lieutenant Colonel Charles E. George
Commanding Officer
Marine Fighter Training Squadron 401

Lieutenant Colonel George is a native of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  He attended the United States Naval Academy and graduated in 2004 with a Bachelors of Science in Robotics and Control Systems Engineering.

He commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in May 2004 and reported to Delta Company at The Basic School in Quantico, followed by flight training at NAS Pensacola, FL; NAS Whiting Field, FL; and NAS Meridian, MS.  First Lieutenant George was designated a Naval Aviator in December 2006 and reported to Marine Attack Training Squadron 203 (VMAT-203) at MCAS Cherry Point, NC for training in the AV-8B.

First Lieutenant George reported to the “Blacksheep” of Marine Attack Squadron 214 (VMA-214) aboard MCAS Yuma, AZ in March 2008.  While assigned to VMA-214, Captain George served simultaneously as the S-1, Adjutant, Legal Officer, S-2, and S-6.  He further served as the Aviation Life Support Systems Division Officer, Powerline Division Officer, Scheduling Officer, Pilot Training Officer and Squadron Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI), and the Operations Officer.  During this tour, Captain George participated in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and deployed on the 31st MEU and Western Pacific Unit Deployment Program.  After gaining Air Combat Tactics Instructor and Low Altitude Tactics Instructor designations, Captain George graduated the Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course in 2010.

Captain George transferred to Expeditionary Warfare School, MCB Quantico in July 2012.  During this tour, Captain George completed the MPF Staff planning, CPI, and Aircraft Maintenance Officer (short) courses in addition to completing Expeditionary Warfare School requirements.  He was awarded the Lieutenant Colonel Robert J. Johnson Jr. Memorial Award for outstanding leadership within the Aviation Combat Element during graduation in May 2013.

Captain George transferred to Marine Attack Squadron 542 (VMA-542) May 2013 where he served as the Assistant Operations Officer, Pilot Training Officer, and Squadron WTI before assuming the duties of Aircraft Maintenance Officer (AMO) in May 2014.  He deployed as the AMO to the Western Pacific Unit Deployment Program and the 31st MEU.  Captain George graduated from Marshall University in August 2014 with a Master’s degree in Leadership.

Major George transferred to the “Great American Bulldogs” of Marine Attack Squadron 223 (VMA-223) in order to deploy with the 26th MEU in June 2015.  As the senior WTI with VMM-162(REIN), he served as the tactics shop OIC and Future Operations Officer.  While deployed with the 26th MEU, he participated in Operation INHERENT RESOLVE.

Major George transferred to 29(R) Squadron at RAF Coningsby, England as an FGR4 Typhoon/Eurofighter exchange pilot with Her Majesty’s Royal Air Force in May 2016.  He completed operational conversion training and transferred to II(AC) Squadron at RAF Lossiemouth, Scotland in February 2017.  He served as the Operations Officer and Executive officer while with “Shiny Two” and deployed on numerous operations and exercises, including two Operation INHERENT RESOLVE tours, Operation BILOXI (Black Sea Air Policing with NATO), Exercise SAIF SAREEA III, Exercise Green Flag, and participated in the RAF Centennial Flyover of Buckingham Palace in the company of 99 other aircraft.

Major George rejoined VMA-542 as the Executive Officer in July 2019 and supported Service Level Training Exercise 1-20 before transferring to the “Ace of Spades” at Marine Attack Squadron 231 (VMA-231) in December 2019 to serve as the AMO.  While with VMA-231, he participated in detachments to NAS Fallon, NAS El Centro, NAS Key West, and supported Service Level Training Exercise 2-21.  Lieutenant Colonel George served as VMA-231’s Executive Officer from October 2020 until August 2021 when he transferred to “America’s MAG”, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG-14), to serve as the Operations officer.  He graduated from Saint Louis University with a certificate in Brewing Science and Operations in May 2022.

Lieutenant Colonel George joined the “Snipers” of Marine Fighter Training Squadron 401 (VMFT-401) in July 2022.  He has accumulated more than 3000 flight hours in fighter and attack aircraft.  His personal decorations include six Strike Flight Air Medals, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/ Gold Star in lieu of fourth award, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.