PATUXENT RIVER NAVAL AIR STATION, MD—The Marine Aviation Detachment’s Col. Michael Thumm stepped down as the detachment’s commanding officer in a ceremony here Jan. 30. Col. Frederick M. Olson, took the CO position.

Thumm was born in Lowell, Mass., Nov. 3, 1953. He graduated from Alton High School, in Alton, N.H. in 1971, the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis in 1975, and received a master’s degree in systems management from the University of Southern California in 1987.

Following the basic school and flight training, Thumm was designated a Naval Aviator in June 1977. He reported to Marine Attack Training Squadron at Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma, Ariz. for training as an A-4 Skyhawk pilot. In February 1978, Thumm reported to Marine Attack Squadron 223 at MCAS Cherry Point, N.C., serving as logistics officer until November 1979. He was then assigned as Marine Aircraft Group adjutant. He was promoted to captain in April 1980. In July, Thumm reported to the 3rd Marine Division, Okinawa, Japan, for duty as the air liaison officer, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines.

Upon unit rotation to the 1st MARDIV, Camp Pendleton, Calif., in May 1981, Thumm was transferred to Training Squadron NAS, Meridian, Miss., as a flight instructor. His additional duties included aircraft division officer, standardization officer, and safety department head. Thumm was designated the Squadron Instructor of the Year in 1983, and the Chief of Naval Air Training Instructor of the Year and recipient of the Navy League’s David S. Ingalls Award in 1984.

Returning to MCAS Cherry Point in October 1984, Thumm underwent conversion flight training in the AV-8A Harrier, reported to VMA-542 in April 1985 and was assigned as the logistics officer. In June 1986 he became the squadron aircraft maintenance officer, following squadron conversion to the AV-8B Harrier II aircraft. He was promoted to major in September 1986.

Thumm was assigned to 1st Marine Air Wing, Iwakuni, Japan, in July 1987 as officer-in-charge, Hornet/ Harrier Introduction Team. He flew the OA-4M aircraft with Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron.

Thumm attended Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk from August 1988 to January 1989. He then transferred to the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs as a Freedom of Information and Security Review action officer. In February 1992, he reported to VMAT 203, the Harrier Fleet Replacement Squadron, for AV-8B refresher and instructor training. He became squadron executive officer in April 1992, was promoted to lieutenant colonel in September 1992, and served as commanding officer from June 1993 through June 1995. He served on the Joint Staff from July 1995 through June 1998, was selected as the Joint Staff Action Officer of the Year for the period April 1, 1997, through March 31, 1998, and was promoted to colonel in July 1998. He was the Commandant of the Marine Corps Fellow in the Security Studies Program at MIT for the academic year 1998-1999. From June 1999 to July 2000, he served as assistant chief of staff, G-3 (Operations), First Marine Aircraft Wing, on Okinawa. From September to December 2000 he underwent F/A-18 Transition training at VMFAT-101 at MCAS Miramar.

Thumm took over the position of CO of MAD here on Jan. 19, 2001.

Among Thumm’s personal awards are the Defense Superior Service Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with gold stars in lieu of second and third awards, Joint Service Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster in lieu of second award, the Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal and Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

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