Col J. Mark Reed arrived at the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Depot Cherry Point on June 2 and will assume the duties of Executive Officer at the change of command ceremony scheduled for July 11. Prior to reporting to the depot, he served as the Commanding Officer of Headquarters Battalion, Headquarters U.S. Marine Corps; and Post Commander of Henderson Hall, Washington, D.C.

A graduate of Muskingum College, Reed earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics in 1975. Following completion of Officer’s Candidate School in August 1977, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant and was designated a Naval Aviator in November 1979. After flight school, he reported to MCAS New River for training in the CH-46 helicopter at HMT-204 and was subsequently reassigned to his first tactical squadron, HMM-261. In December 1982, he transferred to HMT-204.

In May 1984, Reed reported to HMX-1 at Marine Corps Air Facility Quantico, Va., where he was assigned to the Operational Test and Evaluation Department. While serving with HMX-1, he was designated a White House aircraft commander in the VH-3D, VH-1N, UH-1N, CH-46, CH-53, SH-60 and VH-60 helicopters. He also attended the Weapons Tactics Instructor Course in Yuma, Ariz., where he was designated a weapons tactics instructor.

From June 1989 through June 1990, Reed served with the Third Marine Division as the Assistant Director and subsequently Director of Division Schools at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan. Following his overseas tour, he was selected to attend the Marine Corps Command and Staff College at Quantico. Upon graduation in August 1991, he reported to HMT-301, MCAS Tustin, Calif., where he served as the Aircraft Maintenance Officer and Executive Officer. He was then reassigned to HMM-161 in January 1993, where he served as Executive Officer.

In August 1994, Reed reported to the Marine Corps Systems Command at Quantico. While there, he was selected to attend the Defense Acquisition University’s Program Manager Course at the Defense Systems Management College in Fort Belvoir, Va. Upon completion in June 1995, he assumed the duties as Assistant Program Manager for Decision Support Tactical Data Systems.

From January 1997 to June 1999, Reed served as the last commanding officer of HMT-204 prior to the squadron being re-designated VMMT-204, the first V-22 squadron. He was then selected to attend the National Defense University, Industrial College of the Armed Forces, and in June 2000 received a Master of Science degree in National Resource Strategy. After graduation, he reported to the Pentagon, where he served as the Senior Marine Corps Liaison/Deputy to the Head, Aviation Plans and Requirements for all Marine aviation programs on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations, Director, Air Warfare Division, from July 2000 to July 2001.

Reed’s personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with two gold stars, Navy Commendation Medal with gold star, Navy Achievement Medal, and Presidential Service Badge. He is married and has three children.

Photo: Colonel J. Mark Reed