Colonel John A. Ostrowski
Chief of Staff
3D Marine Expeditionary Brigade
Colonel Ostrowski graduated from the United States Naval Academy and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps in 1989. He was designated a Naval Aviator in February 1992.
After initial training in the UH-1N helicopter, he reported in August 1992 to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169 in Camp Pendleton, California, where he served for four years in a variety of aircraft maintenance and operations assignments. During this tour he deployed in 1993 to Okinawa and served with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). He deployed again in 1995 with the 11th MEU.
Following attendance at Amphibious Warfare School in Quantico, Virginia, he returned to Camp Pendleton to serve as Air Officer for 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion.
In June 1998, Colonel Ostrowski joined Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One in Yuma, Arizona, where he performed duties as Forward Air Controller, Flight Instructor, Rotary Wing Department head and Squadron Executive Officer.
Colonel Ostrowski reported in 2002 to Marine Aircraft Group 29 in North Carolina and served as the Future and Current Operations Officer. During this time, he deployed to Iraq for combat operations in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.
Upon his return from Iraq, Colonel Ostrowski joined Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269. While there he deployed in March of 2004 to support Operation SECURE TOMORROW in Port au Prince, Haiti.
Colonel Ostrowski commanded Marine Aircraft Group 42, Detachment C in New Orleans, Louisiana from 2005 to 2007, during which time he participated in rescue and relief operations after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
After graduating from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in June 2008, he reported for joint duty in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, where he served 2 years as Deputy Director for Program and Budget Coordination.
In 2010, Colonel Ostrowski received orders to Okinawa Japan for duty with the III Marine Expeditionary Force as the Current Operations Officer. Following the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami on mainland Japan, he participated in planning and deployment of III MEF forces to Operation TOMODACHI, then transitioned to serve as J33 Current Operations officer for JTF 505 in support of Operation PACIFIC PASSAGE.
In June 2011, he assumed his present duties as the Chief of Staff, 3D Marine Expeditionary Brigade.