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Marines


Biography

 

Lieutenant Colonel Douglas R. Kurz
Commanding Officer
Marine Transport Squadron 1

LtCol Douglas R. Kurz is a native of Millersville, Maryland.  He graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science Degree in International Relations and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps in May of 2006.  From June 2006 to January 2007, he attended The Basic School in Quantico Virginia for Marine Officer training.  Upon graduating, he began basic flight training at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida followed by primary flight training in T-34 aircraft with Training Squadron 6.  In February of 2008, he reported to Training Squadron 7 for advanced flight training in T-45s and was designated a Naval Aviator at Naval Air Station Meridian, Mississippi in August 2009.

First Lieutenant Kurz was subsequently assigned to “The Hawks” of Marine Attack Training Squadron 203 at Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, North Carolina in September 2009 for operational training in the AV-8B Harrier. He competed his training at VMAT-203 in October of 2010.  

In October 2010, Captain Kurz was assigned to the Spades of Marine Attack Squadron 231 at Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, North Carolina where he has held positions as the S-4, S-6 and Powerline OIC.  In September of 2012, Captain Kurz deployed with VMA-231 to Bastion, Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.  In preparation for his next assignment, Captain Kurz completed Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) school in Little Creek, VA while with VMA-231.

In August of 2013, Captain Kurz reported to 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment for duties as a Forward Air Controller / Battalion Air Officer.  Captain Kurz deployed in March of 2014 to Okinawa, Japan in support of the Battalion’s UDP. 

In August of 2014, Captain Kurz reported to Marine Attack Squadron 223 and assumed the duties as Aviation Safety Officer and subsequently the Quality Assurance Officer.  In September of 2015, Captain Kurz deployed to Isa Airbase, Bahrain in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE.  After returning from the deployment in March 2016, Captain Kurz started turnover as the Aviation Maintenance Officer.  In August of 2016, he was promoted to Major and subsequently assigned as Maintenance Officer in December 2016.  

In January 2018, Major Kurz was ordered to instructor duty at Marine Attacking Training Squadron 203, at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, NC.  While at VMAT-203 he served as an AV-8B instructor, Aviation Safety Officer, Assistant Aviation Maintenance Officer, the Aviation Maintenance Officer, and as TACSTAN Officer.  

In September 2020, Major Kurz was ordered to Headquarters Marine Corps, Aviation for duty as APW-22, AV-8B Coordinator. 

In January 2022, LtCol Kurz reported to VMR-1.