Brigadier General Patrick Tiernan is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He joined the Marine Corps via the PLC Program, commissioned and designated a Marine aviator. Subsequently, Brigadier General Tiernan was ordered to MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina to VMGRT-253 for training in the KC-130.
Brigadier General Tiernan served two tours at MCAS Miramar, CA with VMGR-352 and one tour at Camp Pendleton, CA with the 15th MEU(SOC). He held the billets of Adjutant, Avionics Officer, Flight Duty Officer, Aircrew Training Officer, and Operations Officer and deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and twice for Operation Iraqi Freedom. He also participated in Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief missions in support of JTF Katrina and JTF Lebanon. He successfully graduated from MAWTS-1 as a Weapons & Tactics Instructor and converted to the KC-130J.
Brigadier General Tiernan joined the Selected Marine Corps Reserves and affiliated with VMGR-234 and MALS-41 for seven years. During this time, he was Aircrew Training Officer, Assistant Operations Officer, Executive Officer and Commanding Officer. During his tenure as Commanding Officer the squadron was awarded the Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety Award, the Henry Wildfang Award for Marine Aerial Refueler Transportation Squadron of the Year, the Secretary of the Navy Safety Excellence Award and received the first Marine Forces Reserve KC-130J.
After command Brigadier General Tiernan joined the Individual Marine Augment program where he supported the CO, Kaneohe Bay and then the CG, 3rd MAW for duties as C-20G pilot and FOPSO supporting MEFEX, Summer Fury, Steel Knight and Pacific Blitz. Brigadier General Tiernan was then assigned to MAG-41, 4th MAW, where he served as Deputy Group Commander/Senior Reserve Advisor. He then served on the I-MEF reserve staff as LNO to C3F and then joined 4th MAW as the Assistant Wing Commander and Chief of Staff. He recently performed duties as I-MEF Deputy Commanding General and the 1st Marine Division Assistant Division Commander.
Brigadier General Tiernan is a graduate of The Basic School, Amphibious Warfare School (DEP), Command and Staff (DEP), MAWTS-1, the College of Naval Warfare, Reserve Senior Staff Course, Nato Defense College, Cornerstone and USAF Air University CFACC Course.
Throughout his career, Brigadier General Tiernan has accumulated over 4,400 mishap-free flight hours in the KC-130F/R/T/J, C-20G, UH-1Y, AH-1Z, F-5 and the MV-22.