Commanding Officer
LtCol Michael R. Lupient 

Lieutenant Colonel Michael R. Lupient graduated from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in December of 2001. He attended The Basic School aboard Marine Corps Base (MCB) Quantico, Virginia, and the Marine Aviation Supply Officer’s Basic Qualification Course at Marine Detachment Athens, Georgia. Upon completion of the latter, he was designated an Aviation Supply Officer (MOS 6602).

In May of 2003, Second Lieutenant Lupient reported for duty with the Warriors of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 24, aboard MCB Hawaii. He served as the Squadron Support Division Officer-In Charge (OIC), Consumables Management Division OIC, and Aviation Information Systems Department OIC. In July of 2005, First Lieutenant Lupient deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, as an Individual Augment for the Multinational Security Transition Command Iraq. As the executive officer of the Kirkush Military Training Base in Iraq’s Diyala Province, he served as military advisor to the base’s Iraqi Army soldiers and was responsible for all base logistics operations. First Lieutenant Lupient returned home in January of 2006 and completed his tour with MALS-24.

In July of 2006, Captain Lupient reported to MAG-46 Detachment Bravo, aboard Edwards Air Force Base (AFB) in California’s Mojave Desert. Supporting Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 769 (Titan) and Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 764 (Moonlight). He served as the Aviation Supply Officer, Fiscal Officer, and Ground Supply Officer; he was also involved in the reassignment of aircraft, materiel, and personnel during the 2008 deactivation of HMH-769. In 2009, the detachment was re-designated as MAG-41 Detachment Alpha. Captain Lupient served his final year aboard Edwards AFB as the detachment’s executive officer.

In June of 2009, Captain Lupient returned to MCB Quantico, Virginia, to attend the Expeditionary Warfare School. He graduated in May of 2010 and was assigned as the Executive Officer of Marine Aviation Training Support Squadron 1, aboard Naval Air Station Meridian, Mississippi. He later served as the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Learning Site OIC, responsible for the Aviation Maintenance Administration (MOS 6046), Individual Material Readiness List (MOS 6042), Marine Aviation Supply Specialist (MOS 6672), and Aviation Operations (MOS 7041) courses.

In May of 2013, Major Lupient transferred to Okinawa, Japan, to serve as the Aviation Supply Officer for the MALS-36 Blade Runners, aboard Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Futenma. During this tour, Major Lupient’s supply department supported squadrons conducting international relief efforts following Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines and a 2015 earthquake in Nepal. He spent his final year in Okinawa as the executive officer of MALS-36.

In May of 2016, Lieutenant Colonel Lupient reported to Headquarters Marine Corps Aviation, Washington, D. C., where he served as the Assistant Aviation Supply Officer for the Aviation Logistics Support Department. He was also assigned as the logistics lead for the F-35 Lightning program and, later, the UH-1Y Viper and AH-1Z Venom programs.

In July of 2019, Lieutenant Colonel Lupient reported to Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 3, MCAS Miramar, to serve as the Aviation Supply Officer for 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing’s (MAW) Aviation Logistics Division. Just weeks into this tour, he was selected to serve as commanding officer of the MALS-12 Marauders, marking his third MALS tour within 1st MAW. 

Lieutenant Colonel Lupient’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (third award), and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.