Lieutenant Colonel Marc Blankenbicker, a Toronto, Ontario, native, grew up in Avon, Connecticut, and attended Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Vanderbilt University and a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Strategic Management from Indiana University. He was commissioned via Navy ROTC in 2000.

He completed naval flight officer (NFO) training, and the F/A-18 weapon systems officer (WSO) syllabus before reporting to Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron VFMA (AW) 242 at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, California.  He served in operations and maintenance billets while deploying in support of the unit deployment program (UDP), and twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom between 2003 and 2007.

Blankenbicker transferred to Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron (VMFAT) 101 as a WSO instructor where he was selected as the 2007 Instructor of the Year. 

3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) assigned him to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 352 in 2009 where he developed, trained, and deployed the first KC-130J Harvest HAWK platform and crew.  His team deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and the Marine Corps Aviation Association selected him as the 2011 NFO of the Year.

He moved to Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 31, 2nd MAW in 2011 and served as the assistant operations officer, assistant aviation maintenance officer, and maintenance officer with VMFA(AW) 224 deploying twice in support of UDP.

In 2014, he re-designated as an aviation maintenance officer and reported to 2nd MAW Aviation Logistics Department (ALD) as the class desk officer.  He then served as Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 14 executive officer until 2017.
 
He transferred to MALS-11 in 2017 to serve as the executive officer until January 2018, and then as 3rd MAW ALD operations and plans officer until July 2019.

Blackenbicker then served as the director of U.S. Marine Forces, Europe and Africa’s Readiness, Assessments, and Training section as well as the lead planner for headquarters exercises.

He currently serves as the commanding officer of the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit New River in North Carolina.

His personal awards and decorations include the Meritorious Serve Medal with two Gold Stars, Individual Air Medal, 29 Strike/Flight Air Medals, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
 

Last Updated: 27 July 2021