Colonel Christopher J

Christopher J. Mullin, Colonel, USMC (Ret.) Director, Willow Run Airport A native of Franklin, Massachusetts, Colonel Mullin graduated from Providence College with a Bachelors’ Degree in English and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps in June of 1984. His first assignment after completion of The Basic School and the Aircraft Maintenance Officers’ Course was with Marine Attack Squadron-223 the “Bulldogs”, Marine Aircraft Group-32 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, NC as an Aircraft Maintenance Officer from June 1985 to August 1988. Ordered to Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL for training, Colonel Mullin received his wings as a Naval Flight Officer on 2 February 1990 and was assigned to Marine Observation Squadron-2 at MCAS Camp Pendleton, CA flying the OV-10A/D Bronco aircraft as a Supporting Arms Coordinator (Airborne). Colonel Mullin deployed to Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron-169 the “Vipers”, assigned to the 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, aboard the USS TARAWA. With the cessation of hostilities, he re-deployed to MCAS Futenma, Okinawa, Japan as the Logistics Officer for Marine Observation Squadron-2, Detachment “B”, returning to Camp Pendleton in January of 1992. With the dis-establishment of Marine Observation Squadron-2 in May of 1993, he was ordered to the 1st Marine Division for duty as a Forward Air Controller with 3rd Battalion/9th Marines. In November 1994, he reported to Marine Fighter/Attack Training Squadron-101 the “Sharpshooters” at MCAS El Toro, CA for transition training as a Weapons Systems Officer in the F/A-18D Hornet Strike/Fighter. Completing training in August 1995, he reported to Marine Aircraft Group-11 at MCAS Miramar, CA serving as the Assistant Operations Officer until he was assigned to Marine All Weather Fighter/Attack Squadron-242, the “Bats”, in September 1996. While there, he served as the Assistant Aircraft Maintenance Officer, Operations Officer and Director of Safety and Standardization; making two deployments to the Western Pacific, leaving the squadron in September 1999. He next served on the staff of the Commanding General, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, CA, as the Pacific Command Target Information Officer in the Operations Department’s Force Fires Section. In November of 2001 he returned to Marine Aircraft Group-11 serving as the Administration Officer and deployed to Saudi Arabia in support of Operations SOUTHERN WATCH and ENDURING FREEDOM. Upon his return, he assumed the duties as the Executive Officer for Marine All Weather Fighter/Attack Squadron-225, the “Vikings”, in January 2003, re-deploying to Kuwait in support of Operations SOUTHERN WATCH and IRAQI FREEDOM. He left the squadron in May 2004 proceeding to MCB Kaneohe Bay, Marine Corps Bases Hawaii, for duty as the Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations. He served in that capacity until June 2005 when he detached and proceeded to Marine Aircraft Group -31, MCAS Beaufort, SC for duty as the Commanding Officer of Marine All Weather Fighter/Attack Squadron-533, the “Hawks”, assuming command on 28 October 2005. In January 2006, he lead the squadron to Al Asad AB, Iraq in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM 05-07.1. Over the next six months the “Hawks” amassed 7025 flight hours during 2121 sorties in direct support of U.S. and Coalition Forces. The squadron returned home to MCAS Beaufort, SC on 24 August 2006. After relinquishing command of the “Hawks” on 27 April 2007, he proceeded to MCAS Cherry Point, NC where he was assigned to 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Headquarters, first serving as the Operations Officer and then as the Chief of Staff for 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, (Forward). In January 2009, he again deployed to Al Asad, AB, Iraq, ultimately returning to Cherry Point in October 2009. He detached in June 2010 and reported to the United States Naval War College in Newport, RI for duty as a Military Instructor and the Senior Marine Representative, serving in this capacity until his retirement from active duty on 1 October 2013 after 29 years of service. 1 Colonel Mullin has amassed more than 2,500 flight hours in the O/A-4M Skyhawk, UH-1N Huey, OV-10 A/D Bronco and the F/A-18D Hornet. His personal awards include the Legion of Merit Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star denoting the second award, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Strike/Flight Air Medal with the numeral “9”, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat “V” and four gold stars denoting the fifth award, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. Colonel Mullin resides in suburban Detroit with his wife Chantal, son Jake and daughters Fiona and Rori. 2 .

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