Lieutenant Colonel Joel G. Adolphson is currently serving as the Executive Officer, Marine Fighter Training Squadron (VMFT) 401.
A native of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. He is a graduate of Kent State University in Kent, Ohio earning his bachelor’s degree in criminology and sociology. He reported to Officer Candidate School (OCS) in January 2008 and commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps in March 2008.
As a Lieutenant, he reported to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida for Aviation Preflight Indoctrination in January 2009. He completed primary flight training in the T-34 at NAS Whiting Field, Florida in October 2009. He subsequently completed intermediate and advanced flight training in the T-45C Goshawk at NAS Meridian, Mississippi, and earned his Wings of Gold in December 2010.
Captain Adolphson then reported to Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron (VMFAT) 101, at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar, California for initial training in the F/A-18 A-D Hornet. In August 2012, he was assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 232, also at MCAS Miramar where he served as Schedules Officer, Logistics and Communications Officer and Powerline Officer in Charge. In December of 2014, Captain Adolphson graduated the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) and became a Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor (SFTI). During his time with VMFA-232 he deployed on Unit Deployment Program (UDP) to the Asia-Pacific region in 2012 and 2013 and deployed to the Middle East in 2015 in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
In January 2016 Captain Adolphson reported to Royal Air Force (RAF) Coningsby, United Kingdom after being selected on the personnel exchange program board. After completing his transition syllabus on the FGR4 Eurofighter Typhoon, he reported to 6 Squadron at RAF Lossiemouth, Scotland. During his time with the Royal Air Force, he served as the Assistant Training Officer and Instructor Pilot for 6 Squadron and deployed with them to Romania to conduct NATO policing and deployed to Cyprus to conduct missions in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
As a Major, he reported to VMFA(AW)-224 at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina in March 2019 where he served as the Pilot Training Officer and then the Operations Officer. During his time with VMFA(AW)-224 he deployed in 2019 to the Asia-Pacific on the Unit Deployment Program. In 2021 he deployed in execution of the Dynamic Force Employment to Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
In October 2021, Major Adolphson transitioned to the Active-Reserves and joined Marine Fighter Training Squadron (VMFT) 401 at MCAS Yuma, Arizona for duties as an adversary pilot. In May of 2023 he promoted to his current rank of Lieutenant Colonel. During his time at VMFT-401, he has served as Pilot Training Officer, Assistant Operations Officer and is currently serving as the Executive Officer.