Profile
Colonel Christopher J. Mullin, USMC
“Moon”
A native of Franklin, Massachusetts, Colonel Mullin attended the Platoon Leaders Class (PLC) and, upon graduation from Providence College with a degree in English, was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. Upon completion of TBS in 1985, he attended the Aircraft Maintenance Officers’ Course at NAS Pensacola, FL, and proceeded to MAG-32 at MCAS Cherry Point, NC and was assigned to VMA-223, the “Bulldogs” where he served as the Maintenance and Material Control Officer and the Assistant Aircraft Maintenance Officer from December 1985 to August 1988. Additionally, during this period, Colonel Mullin attended the Naval Aerial Observers Course at MCAS New River, NC and upon completion was assigned to fly as augment aircrew with the “Bandits” of H&MS-32 in the O/A-4M Skyhawk, as a Forward Air Controller, (Airborne) (FAC(A)).
Selected for the Supporting Arms Coordinator (Airborne) (SAC(A)) program in August of 1988, he proceeded to NAS Pensacola, FL where he received his wings as a Naval Flight Officer on 2 February 1990. He was subsequently ordered to VMO-2, at MCAS Camp Pendleton, CA for duty as a SAC(A) in the OV-10A/D, Bronco.
In November 1990, Colonel Mullin was sent TAD to HMLA-169, the “Vipers”, as a project officer and operator for the Night Eagle FLIR/LASER, assisting in the development and fielding of this system for use on the UH-1N. In December 1990, he deployed with the squadron as part of the Air Combat Element assigned to 5th MEB, aboard the USS TARAWA in support of Operation DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM. Colonel Mullin returned to MCAS Camp Pendleton, CA in May 1991, and re-deployed to Okinawa, Japan in June as the Logistics Officer for VMO-2 Detachment “B”, returning in January of 1992. Assigned as the Quality Assurance Officer upon his return, he attended the Weapons and Tactics Instructors’ Course at MAWTS-1 in Yuma, AZ in October of 1992.
While assigned to VMO-2, Colonel Mullin received his regular commission, remaining with the squadron until it’s disestablishment in May of 1993. He was then assigned to Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron-3 and in November 1993, attended the Tactical Air Control Party Course at LFTCPAC enroute to the 1st Marine Division for duty as a Forward Air Controller (FAC) with 3rd Battalion/9th Marines where he served as the Air Officer and Operations Officer. While serving as the Operations Officer, he oversaw the battalions’ re-designation to 3rd Battalion/4th Marines.
In November 1994, Colonel Mullin reported to VMFAT-101 at MCAS El Toro, CA for transition training as a Weapons Systems Officer (WSO) in the F/A-18D Hornet. Upon his completion in August 1995, he received orders to the MAG-11 Headquarters Staff located at MCAS Miramar, CA. Following his tenure as the Assistant Group Operations Officer, Colonel Mullin reported to VMFA(AW)-242, the “Bats” in September 1996, serving as the Assistant Aircraft Maintenance Officer, Operations Officer and Director of Safety and Standardization. In September 1999, he detached from VMFA(AW)-242 and reported to CG I MEF, MCB Camp Pendleton, CA, for duty.
While assigned to I MEF, Colonel Mullin served as the PACOM Target Information Officer in the G-3 Force Fires section. In November of 2001, he returned to MAG-11, serving as the Group S-1 Officer. In May 2002 he deployed to Prince Sultan Air Base, KSA serving as the MARCENT Liaison Officer to the CFACC. Upon his return to Miramar, he assumed the duties as the Executive Officer for VMFA(AW)-225, the “Vikings” in January 2003. There he re-deployed to Kuwait and participated in combat operations in support of Operations SOUTHERN WATCH and IRAQI FREEDOM.
Colonel Mullin reported to the Commanding General, Marine Corps Bases Hawaii in May 2004 for duty as the Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations. He served in that capacity until June of 2005 when he detached and proceeded to 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, for duty as the Commanding Officer of VMFA(AW)-533, the “Hawks”. He assumed command on 28 October 2005.
In December 2005, the squadron deployed to MCAS Yuma, AZ to participate in Desert Talon, before departing for Al Asad AB, Iraq to support I MEF in OIF 05-07.1. Arriving in Al Asad on 10 February 2006, the squadron commenced combat operations 12 hours later. Over the next six months the “Hawks” amassed 7025 flight hours during 2121 sorties in direct support of I MEF and Coalition Forces throughout Al Anbar Province. The squadron re-deployed to MCAS Beaufort, SC on 24 August 2006.
Colonel Mullin relinquished command of the “Hawks” on 27 April 2007, and in June 2007, proceeded to MCAS Cherry Point, NC where he was assigned as the Operations Officer for 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. He served in that capacity until his assignment as Chief of Staff, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, (Forward) commenced in September of 2008. He deployed with the Wing in January 2009, returning to Al Asad, AB, Iraq. He redeployed to CONUS and assumed the duties as the G-5 Plans Officer in October 2009 where he served until June 2010. In July 2010, he reported to the President of the United States Naval War College for duty as a Military Professor in the National Security Decision Making Department.
Colonel Mullin has amassed over 2500 flight hours in the O/A-4M Skyhawk, UH-1N Huey, OV-10 A/D Bronco and the F/A-18D Hornet. His personal awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Strike/Flight Air Medal with the numeral “9”, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat “V” and four gold stars denoting the fifth award, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.