D. R. Lingman
Lieutenant Colonel
United States Marine Corps
LtCol Lingman was commissioned a Second Lieutenant through the OCC program in April 1992. Upon completion of The Basic School, he reported to The Communications Officer School in Quantico, VA where he was designated a Communications Officer.
In May 1993 LtCol Lingman was assigned to 7th Communication Battalion, 3rd Support, Reconnaissance, Intelligence Group (SRIG) Camp Hansen, Okinawa, for duties as a Radio Platoon Commander. He participated in various exercises in the Pacific Rim in support of III Marine Expeditionary Force. In December 1994 he was selected to attend flight training at Naval Air Station, Pensacola and was designated a Naval Aviator in October 1996.
In June 1997 he was assigned to MAG-16, MCAS El Toro, CA as a CH-46E helicopter pilot and served with both HMM-165 “White Knights” and HMM-166 “SeaElk.” He deployed to the Persian Gulf with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) in January 2000 aboard the USS BONHOMME RICHARD and participated in humanitarian relief support following civil unrest in East Timor during OPERATION STABILISE. He held the billets of Schedule Writer, NATOPS Officer, and S-4 Logistics Officer.
In March 2001, LtCol Lingman reported to Camp Pendleton for duties as the S-3-Air Officer/Forward Air Controller for 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division. During his tenure he participated in multiple live fire exercises training specialized reconnaissance teams in close air support and combined arms.
In June 2002 LtCol Lingman returned to MAG-16 as the Personnel Support Detachment Commanding Officer, and deployed January-June 2003 with the MAG-16 Headquarters aboard USS BOXER during the initial push into Iraq for OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF). He participated in flight operations and established a combat Forward Operating Base for MAG-16 in Jalibah, Iraq. In July 2003 while assigned to HMM-166(REIN) and the 11th MEU (SOC) aboard the USS PELELIU he returned to the Middle East from April 2004 to February 2005 for OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF). There he participated in combat operations in An-Najaf, Ramadi, and Fallujah and where HMM-166 also supported Iraq’s first countrywide election. During this tour he served as the Director of Safety and Standardization and the Aircraft Maintenance Officer for 32 aircraft.
In April 2005 he was assigned to 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company (1st ANGLICO) and returned to Iraq as a Supporting Arms Liaison Team (SALT) leader. The team was attached with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion in Fallujah, and later with U.S. Army 4th Cavalry 14th Armored Regiment during OPERATION STEEL CURTAIN conducting interdiction operations along the Syrian/Iraqi border.
From June 2006-February 2009 LtCol Lingman was assigned overseas with the NATO Joint Forces Command Naples, Italy. During his tenure he served on the joint staff as the J-3 Operations Officer, Balkans, participating in OPERATION JOINT GUARDIAN and peacekeeping operations in Kosovo and Bosnia.
In March of 2009 LtCol Lingman attended the Joint and Combined Warfighting School in Norfolk, VA. In June he reported to the Commanding Officer, MCAS Miramar and assumed duties as the Station Operations Officer and a UC-12 pilot. He managed and supported daily base and airfield operations to include multiple exercises and deployments to OEF by 3d Marine Aircraft Wing, Japanese Tsunami relief, and three Miramar Air Shows. In November 2011 LtCol Lingman was reassigned to serve as the Director of Safety and Standardization, MCAS Miramar.
LtCol Lingman graduated in 1991 from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque with a Bachelors of Science in Communication and Russian Studies and also holds a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies. He was promoted to his current rank in October 2007 and his personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (3rd Award), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.