Lieutenant Colonel Lopez commissioned in 2007 via the Officer Candidate Course at MCB Quantico, VA. After The Basic School, he attended Navy Flight School, was designated a Naval Aviator in 2011, and transferred to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Training Squadron (VMMT204) at MCAS New River in Jacksonville, NC for MV-22B Osprey pilot training.
Upon MV-22B qualification in 2012, Lieutenant Colonel Lopez transferred to VMM-165 White Knights at MCAS Miramar in San Diego, CA where he remained until 2017. During his time at VMM-165, Lieutenant Colonel Lopez deployed once to Afghanistan and twice to Kuwait with the Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Crisis Response, Central Command (SPMAGTF-CR-CC). As a White Knight, Lieutenant Colonel Lopez attended the Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course and held collateral positions that included Embarkation Officer, Logistics Officer, Airframes Officer, Pilot Training Officer, and Assistant Operations Officer.
In 2017, Lieutenant Colonel Lopez reported to Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1) at MCAF Quantico, VA to fly the MV-22B in support of the Marine One presidential lift mission. Collaterally, Lieutenant Colonel Lopez served in the Manpower and Recruiting office, then was selected to become a White House Liaison Officer (WHLO). As a WHLO, he was responsible for the advanced planning and coordination of presidential travel worldwide. During his time at HMX, Lieutenant Colonel Lopez conducted over 30 domestic and international presidential missions that includes to the countries of Canada, England, France, Chile, Vietnam, and India.
In 2020, Lieutenant Colonel Lopez assessed into the Active Reserve program and reported to VMM-774 Wild Goose at Naval Station Norfolk. At the Goose, Lieutenant Colonel Lopez served as the Director of Safety and Standardization and unit NATOPS Instructor. He also assisted in the unit relocation to MCAS New River. After completion of his Active Reserve orders in 2022, he transferred to the Select Marine Corps Reserve (SMCR) and joined Marine Transport Squadron Andrews (VMR). Lieutenant Colonel Lopez qualified in the UC-35D Cessna Citation, then mobilized and deployed to Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar in 2023. He served as the detachment’s Operations Officer and flew sorties to multiple Middle Eastern countries in support of the VMR mission to Central Command. In 2024, Lieutenant Colonel Lopez returned to VMM-774 to assume command in June.
Lieutenant Colonel Lopez’s personal awards include the Presidential Service Badge, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with Strike/Flight Numeral 4, and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (second award). In addition to Expeditionary Warfare School and Command and Staff professional military education, Lieutenant Colonel Lopez holds a Master of Arts in Leadership Studies from Marshall University and a Master of Public Administration from Indiana University. As a civilian, Lieutenant Colonel Lopez is a First Officer with United Airlines.