Commanding Officer
LtCol M.D. Gonzalez
Lieutenant Colonel Gonzalez was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, in June 1973. Upon graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelors of Science in Economics in May 1995, Lieutenant Colonel Gonzalez was commissioned a Second Lieutenant.
Upon completion of The Basic School in March 1996, Second Lieutenant Gonzalez attended the Navy Supply Corps School, Athens, Georgia, where he received formal training as an Aviation Supply Officer.
In June 1996, Second Lieutenant Gonzalez was assigned to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26 (MALS-26), Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River, North Carolina, where he served as the Aviation Supply Officer for Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 261 (HMM-261) on a shipboard deployment to the South Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) for Operations Guardian Retrieval and Noble Obelisk in West Africa. Upon return from deployment, Second Lieutenant Gonzalez served as the Supply Response and Repairable Management Division Officer.
In May 1998, First Lieutenant Gonzalez reported to MCAS New River, North Carolina, where he served as the MCAS Supply Officer.
In June 1999, Captain Gonzalez received orders to the staff of the Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet (COMNAVAIRLANT) in Norfolk, Virginia, where he served as the Assistant Officer in Charge of the Helicopter Logistics Support Branch. In this assignment, he was responsible for the aviation supply support of MEU helicopters and AV-8B Harriers operating aboard LHA/LHD/LPD class ships; Navy MH-53E mine-hunting helicopters deployed aboard the USS Inchon (MCS-12); and Navy Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System (LAMPS) SH-60B anti-submarine helicopters deployed aboard Second, Fifth, and Sixth Fleet destroyers and frigates.
In August 2002, Captain Gonzalez reported to Marine Helicopter Squadron One, Quantico, Virginia, where he served as the squadron's Fiscal Officer, Assistant and Aviation Supply Officer. In addition to his primary duties, Major Gonzalez served as a squadron White House Liaison Officer responsible for coordinating logistical support for squadron detachment personnel and aircraft during Presidential helicopter support missions for the 43st President, George H. Bush.
In July 2006, Major Gonzalez reported to MALS-13 in Yuma, Arizona, where he served as the Operations, Aviation Supply, and Executive Officer. He also served as the Executive and Operations Officer for MALS-13 (-)(REIN) for Exercise Pacific Provider aboard the SS CURTISS (T-AVB 4) in 2007. This was the first time an operational MALS embarked aboard the SS CURTISS was utilized to validate existing Korean peninsula contingency operational plans by integrating aviation logistics capabilities with MALS-12 in Iwakuni, Japan.
In July 2009, Major Gonzalez reported to the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, graduating in December 2011with a Masters of Science in Operations Research.
In June 2012, Lieutenant Colonel Gonzalez assumed command of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12.
Lieutenant Colonel Gonzalez's civilian education includes a Masters of Science in Business Administration from Boston University.
Lieutenant Colonel Gonzalez's personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (gold star in lieu of second award); Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (gold star in lieu of second award); and The Presidential Service Badge.