Col. Russell Strange is from Western Pennsylvania. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in May 2001 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Quantitative Economics and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps.

Following graduation of the Basic School, Strange earned his Naval Flight Officer wings in Pensacola and completed EA-6B Prowler Fleet Replacement Squadron training in Whidbey Island, Washington. He was designated an Electronic Countermeasures Officer and received orders to Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 14.

Strange joined Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (VMAQ) 1 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. During his time with VMAQ-1, he served two combat deployments to Al Asad Air Base in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom where he worked in operations and logistics, and was designated a mission commander. Strange then joined the staff of MAG-14 as the EA-6B Current Operations Officer and was selected for the Special Education Program.

He conducted his SEP at the Air Force Institute of Technology at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. He graduated in March 2010, earning a Master of Science degree in Environmental Engineering.

Strange then became the Head of Environmental Management Systems and Deputy for Marine Corps Base Quantico’s Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Branch. Concurrently, Strange graduated with distinction from the International Blended Seminar at Marine Corps University’s Command and Staff College.

He reported to Airborne Electronic Attack Systems (PMA-234) in as the Military Deputy Integrated Product Team Lead of the AN/ALQ-231 Intrepid Tiger II. He was selected as an 8059 Aviation Acquisition Professional, and subsequently was assigned as PMA-234’s Deputy Program Manager of both Airborne Electronic Attack Products and EA-6B. He then reported to Navy and Marine Corps Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program Office (PMA-263) as the Military Medium UAS IPTL for RQ-21A Blackjack and Unmanned Logistics Systems - Air.

Strange graduated from The Eisenhower School and Senior Acquisition Course of National Defense University in June 2021 with a Master of Science degree in National Resource Strategy and then reported to H-53 Heavy Lift Helicopters Program Office (PMA-261) as the Deputy Program Manager of the CH-53K. Strange helped lead PMA-261 through a successful initial operational test & evaluation, service declaration of initial operational capability, positive full rate production decision, development closeout campaign, and block buy procurement of CH-53K airframes and T-408 engines.

Strange has attained Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act Level Advanced in Program Management, Level Foundational in Engineering, and is a member of the Defense Acquisition Corps. His personal decorations include the two Meritorious Service Medals, nine Air Medal Strike/Flight, two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

Strange assume command of PMA-272 in June 2024.