Lieutenant Colonel Eric “Flounder” Garcia graduated from Las Cruces High School, Las Cruces, New Mexico in 1988 and attended New Mexico State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in Psychology.  He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant through the Platoon Leaders Course in February 1994.  Upon Completion of The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia, he reported to MATSG Pensacola, Florida for flight training and was designated a Naval Aviator in December 1996. 

In January 1997, Lieutenant Colonel Garcia reported to Marine Medium Helicopter Training Squadron 204 (HMT-204) at MCAS New River, North Carolina for Replacement Aircrew Training in the CH-46E “Sea Knight.”  Upon completion of initial training in the CH-46E, he reported to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 162 (HMM-162), Marine Aircraft Group 29 (MAG-29).  While there, he served as a Schedule Writer, Flight Officer, Pilot Training Officer, and Weapons and Tactics Instructor.  During this period, he deployed twice with the 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit supporting Operation JOINT FORGE in the Adriatic Sea and Albania.  Upon returning from his second deployment, Lieutenant Colonel Garcia reported to Quantico, Virginia to attend Amphibious Warfare School (AWS).  Following graduation from AWS, Lieutenant Colonel Garcia returned to HMM-162, MAG-29, where he served as the Director of Safety, Standardization, and NATOPS (DSSN).  During this period he deployed with 2d MEB in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF). 

Upon return from OIF, Lieutenant Colonel Garcia reported to Marine Tiltrotor Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron 22 (VMX-22) at MCAS New River, North Carolina in September 2003 to begin the transition to the MV-22B “Osprey.”  While assigned to VMX-22, he served as the Support Department Officer heading the S-4, S-5, and S-6 divisions.  Following his tour at VMX-22, Lieutenant Colonel Garcia transferred to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Training Squadron 204 (VMMT-204) at MCAS New River, North Carolina where he served as the Future Operations Officer and as an Instructor Pilot.  

In March 2006, Lieutenant Colonel Garcia reported to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (VMM-263) at MCAS New River, North Carolina where he served as the DSSN.  During this tour, he participated in the transition of the squadron from CH-46E to MV-22B.  In September 2007, he deployed with VMM-263 in support of OIF 06-8 with Second Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) and 06-8.2 under Third Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) in Al Asad Airbase, Iraq. 

Following return from this deployment, Lieutenant Colonel Garcia transferred to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 (VMM-261) at MCAS New River, North Carolina.  While at VMM-261, he served as the Aircraft Maintenance Officer participating in the squadron’s transition from CH-46E to MV-22B.  In November 2009, he deployed with VMM-261 in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF) 09 under Marine Aircraft Group 40 and 10 under Third Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan. 

Upon completion of this tour of duty, Lieutenant Colonel Garcia was transferred to Marine Aircraft Group 16 (MAG-16) at MCAS Miramar, California in preparation to assume command of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 163 (VMM-163).  While at MAG-16, he served as the Transition Training Unit Officer in Charge and as the MAG-16 MV-22B Transition Officer.

Lieutenant Colonel Garcia has over 3,200 mishap free flight hours and his personal decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V”, Air Medal Strike Flight with Numeral “13”, and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal.