Submitted by TEAM Public Affairs, Cherry Point

CHERRY POINT, N.C. – Col. Eugene K. Conti assumed the position of executive officer of the Naval Aviation Depot here Jan. 28.

Conti was born in Dorchester, Mass. The colonel was commissioned a second lieutenant via the Platoon Leaders Class upon graduation from Northeastern University in 1977.

After completion of the Basic School in Quantico, Va., he earned his Naval Aviator wings from Flight School in Pensacola, Fla., in September 1979. Assigned as a CH-46 pilot, he began a tour in the Second Marine Aircraft Wing (2d MAW) joining Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM)-162 for two Mediterranean deployments and one North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) deployment. He served as squadron adjutant, quality assurance officer, and assistant maintenance officer. He transferred to Marine Helicopter Training Squadron (HMT)-204 in July 1982, where he served as a flight instructor and flight line officer.

During February 1984, Conti assumed the duties as officer-in-charge of the Marine Officer Selection Office in Boston, Mass., where he served until his return to the Fleet Marine Force (FMF) in June 1987.

After completion of refresher training, he joined HMM-365, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG)-29 for two more Landing Force 6th Fleet (LF6F) deployments with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Special Operations Capable (SOC) and the 24th MEU (SOC).

His duties included quality assurance officer, assistant maintenance officer, and aircraft maintenance officer.

During June 1990, Conti was assigned to the Naval Air Systems Command as the H-46 assistant program manager for systems and engineering where he served until July 1993.

He attended the Marine Corps Command and Staff College at Quantico, Va., from August 1993 through graduation in May of 1994. He then assumed the duties as the Cherry Point director of operations in July 1994, where he served until May 1996. He then commanded HMM-264 from June 1996 through August 1998. He deployed as the Aviation Combat Element commander with the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Liberia and the 26th MEU (SOC) during his tour as commanding officer.

In August of 1998, he reported to the Industrial College of the Armed Forces as a student and graduated in June 1999. He reported to Cherry Point for duty in August 1999.

Conti was promoted to his present rank on Oct. 1, 1999. Along with the service schools he has attended, he holds a Master of Science Degree in Systems Management from the University of Southern California and a Master of Science Degree in National Resource Strategy from the National Defense University.

His personal military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (second award) and the Navy Commendation Medal (second award).

In commenting about his new position as executive officer, Conti said, "Returning to NADEP is truly special to me. Our challenges are great, but there is no finer group of people to meet them than those here at Cherry Point."