Col Bryan L. “Trip” Littleton III is a native of Texarkana, Texas, and was commissioned through the Officer Candidate School program in December 2002, inspired to serve following the attacks of September 11, 2001. After completing The Basic School in 2003, he entered Naval flight training in Pensacola, FL, then Corpus Christi, TX, earning his aviator wings in 2005. He began his KC-130 career at VMGRT-253 before joining VMGR-234 in Fort Worth, where he served in multiple maintenance and operational billets.
As a captain, Col Littleton deployed to the Helmand Province of Afghanistan, as a Forward Air Controller with 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. He later completed the Aviation Safety Officer Course in Pensacola, and served as VMGR-234’s Aviation Safety Officer and NATOPS Officer. He was subsequently selected as the 4th MAW KC-130 F/R/T NATOPS Evaluator/Model Manager, responsible for NATOPS program management and aircrew evaluations across Marine and Navy legacy KC-130 units.
After twelve years of active duty service, Col Littleton transitioned to the Marine Corps Reserve and continued serving with VMGR-234, where he converted from the KC-130T to the KC-130J and quickly regained his aircraft commander and instructor qualifications. He later served with MAG-41 as Officer in Charge of Safety and Standardization, and as one of the JAGMAN investigating officers for the YANKY72 Class A mishap.
From 2019 to 2020, Col Littleton served as the Executive Officer of VMGR-234 before assuming command of the squadron. He completed his command tour in May 2022 and quickly reported to the Naval War College in Newport, RI. After completing his master’s degree, he continued serving in strategic planning and joint assignments with the Joint Enabling Capabilities Command, Norfolk, VA, which included roles within CENTCOM J3/5 and most recently, as a Future Operations Planner within the JECC. During his upcoming tour at MATSG-42, Col Littleton will also serve as an associate instructor with the VT-10 Wildcats, supporting the “NFO Gateway to the Fleet,” flying the T-6A.
In his civilian career, Col Littleton is an Airbus captain for American Airlines and the founder of General Striping, LLC, a decorative coatings and road and highway services company established in Fort Worth in 2012. He also serves as Vice President on the Board of Directors for the Cowtown Executives Association.
Col Littleton was honored to represent the Marine Corps as a member of the All-Marine Triathlon Team in previous years. His personal decorations include the Joint Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, and Humanitarian Service Medal.