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=Lieutenant Colonel Stephen S. Pierson=

Lieutenant Colonel Pierson is a 1991 graduate of the University of Colorado, earning a Bachelors degree in Communication. He received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps and was assigned to Bravo Company, The Basic School, Quantico, VA in January of 1992.

After graduation from The Basic School, 2nd Lt Pierson reported to NAS Pensacola in August 1992 for naval flight training and was designated a Naval Aviator in June of 1994.

Upon completion of CH-53D replacement aircrew training at HMT-302, MCAS Tustin, CA in December 1994, 1st Lt Pierson was assigned to HMH-463, 1st MAW Aviation Support Element, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii where he served in the Operations department. From 1995 to 1999, Capt Pierson participated in EXERCISE COBRA GOLD 95 in U’Taphao Thailand, deployed in support of the President of the United States (POTUS) to Cairns, Australia, and participated in EXERCISE TANDEM THRUST in Townsville, Australia. After attending Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Instructors (WTI) Course 2-98, he was designated the Pegasus’ WTI. Capt Pierson also attended Aircraft Maintenance Officers course in Pensacola, Florida, and served in numerous billets in both Maintenance and Operations, to include Quality Assurance Officer, Assistant Aircraft Maintenance Officer, and Assistant Operations Officer.

After attending Tactical Air Control Party school in June of 1999, Capt Pierson was assigned as a Forward Air Controller for 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment in Camp Pendleton, CA in July. In December, he joined 5th Marine Regiment as Regimental Assistant Air Officer until he departed in June of 2000.

Capt Pierson completed Flight Instructor Training Course at the Fixed Wing Instructor Training Unit at NAS Whiting Field in October of 2000, and became a Flight Instructor and the Senior Marine at Training Squadron Six (VT-6). He was promoted to Major in July of 2001, became the Shooter’s Operations Officer, and was recognized as the Primary Flight Instructor of the Year for 2002.

During February, 2003, Major Pierson reported to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461 (HMH-461), MAG 29, 2D MAW at MCAS New River, NC and completed CH-53E conversion training. He served as the Ironhorse Logistics Officer, deploying for OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM to Djibouti, Africa in support of the Commander, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA). In 2004, he became the Aircraft Maintenance Officer and deployed with the squadron for a second time to CJTF-HOA. Shortly after his return, he was assigned as the Operations Officer, where he directed operations in support of Joint Task Force Aviation for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, POTUS support in Mar Del Plata, Argentina, and portions of a third, short notice deployment to CJTF-HOA from February to April 2006.

In April of 2006, Major Pierson joined HMT-302 and assumed his current duties as the squadron’s Executive Officer. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in August of 2007.

Lieutenant Colonel Pierson’s personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal.