Photo By Cpl. Kevin Crist | Maj. Gen. Thomas Conant, former commanding general of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, thanks...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. - Third Marine Aircraft Wing Marines welcomed a new commanding general Sept. 23 during a change of command ceremony where Maj. Gen. Thomas L. Conant relinquished command to Maj. Gen. Andrew O’Donnell Jr. at the flight line here.
He is a former resident of Jackson, Mich., and a 1975 graduate of Central Michigan University and The Platoon Leaders Course. He graduated from The Basic School in 1976 and was subsequently designated as a naval aviator in 1977. He has a master degree in Military Studies with honors in Defense Management from American Military University.
He has commanded Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167, Marine Aircraft Group 36 and served as commanding general of Training Command and deputy commanding general of Training and Education Command.
His staff duties have been as a Rotary Wing Monitor, Headquarters Marine Corps; aide-de-camp commanding general Marine Forces Atlantic/II Marine Expeditionary Force; faculty advisor, Marine Corps Command and Staff College; Joint Chiefs of Staff, J8; and branch head Aviation Plans, Programs and Budget, Department of Aviation.
Conant's general officer staff tours have included assistant deputy commandant for Aviation, Department of Aviation, HQMC; assistant deputy commandant for Programs and Resources, HQMC; and director, Capabilities Development Directorate, Marine Corps Combat Development Command.
Conant has participated in various operations overseas to include, noncombatant evacuation operations in Liberia during Operation Sharp Edge, contingency operations in Haiti, Operation Support Democracy, and peacekeeping operations in Somalia during Operation Restore Hope and United Nations Operations in Somalia.
Conant is a graduate of the Amphibious Warfare School, Command and Staff College and Marine Corps War College.
O’Donnell was commissioned via the Platoon Leaders Class from East Carolina University in May 1980. After graduating from The Basic School and Infantry Officers Course, he joined 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. During this tour, he completed two Marine Amphibious Unit deployments to the West Pacific and Indian Ocean.
In 1983, O’Donnell served as the officer-in-charge of the 3rd Marine Regiment Small Unit Leadership Course prior to entering flight school the following year. He was subsequently designated a naval aviator in September 1985.
Upon graduation from Marine Helicopter Training Unit 301, he was assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268, where he completed two Marine Expeditionary Unit deployments. In 1988, he transferred to HMT-301 for duty as an instructor pilot and assistant operations officer. In 1989, O’Donnell joined HMM-262 and deployed to the Philippines as part of Marine Air Ground Task Force 4-90.
He graduated from the Marine Corps Command and Staff College in 1994 and then began a four year tour with Marine Helicopter Squadron 1. O’Donnell was designated a command and Marine one pilot during this tour.
In 1998, he took command of the Dragons of HMM-265 and deployed to the Persian Gulf for Operation Desert Fox as the Aviation Command Element for the 31st MEU. In 1999, the squadron deployed again with the 31st MEU to East Timor for Operation Stabilize. In January 2000, O’Donnell stood up and assumed command of Special Purpose MAGTF East Timor and deployed in support of the International Force, the Australian-led force during stability and security operations in East Timor.
While in command of the Dragons, the squadron received the 1999 Marine Corps Aviation Association Commandant’s Aviation Trophy for superior overall performance by a Marine squadron. In 2000, HMM-265 was again recognized by MCAA, this time with the Edward C. Dyer Award for the most outstanding Medium Helicopter Squadron in Marine aviation. During that same year, O’Donnell was presented the Alfred A. Cunningham Award as the Marine Corps Aviator of the Year.
From 2000-2001, O’Donnell served as the Marine Corps Executive Fellow at the Rand Corporation in Santa Monica, Calif. Upon completion of his fellowship, he was transferred to New York City where he served on the joint staff as the deputy chief of staff and military advisor at the United States Mission to the United Nations.
In July of 2004, O’Donnell again reported to HMX-1 where he served as the special projects officer and executive officer, prior to assuming command on June 30, 2005.
From 2007-2009, O’Donnell served as director, Capabilities Development Directorate, Marine Corps Combat Development Command.
In June of 2009, he assumed the duties as the assistant wing commander, 3rd MAW.
In November 2009, O’Donnell was assigned as the commanding general, 3rd MAW (Forward), and from April 2010 to March 2011 he served as the commander, Aviation Combat Element, Regional Command (Southwest) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
| Date Taken: | 09.23.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 09.26.2011 19:17 |
| Story ID: | 77617 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 336 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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