Biography
Marine Air Support Squadron 2
Lieutenant Colonel Daniel F. Knudson

Lieutenant Colonel Knudson graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Science and a Master in Accountancy. After passing the Certified Public Accountant exam and before joining the Marine Corps, he worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers as an external financial statement auditor.
After receiving his commission in December 2005 and completing The Basic School in June 2006, Second Lieutenant Knudson reported to the Air Support Control Officers Course at Marine Corps Communication-Electronics School (MCCES) aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC) Twentynine Palms, California. After earning the 7208 Air Support Control Officer primary military occupational specialty (MOS), he proceeded to Marine Air Support Squadron 3 (MASS-3), where he served as the Squadron S-2 Officer and the Air Support Company Executive Officer. While at MASS-3, he deployed twice in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. His first deployment was in 2006 as an Air Support Liaison Team Officer at Camp Ramadi and as a Helicopter Director at Al Asad Air Base. He deployed again to Iraq in 2008 as an intelligence advisor on Border Transition Team 4222, which trained the Iraqi Border Police stationed on the Iraq-Syria border.
In 2010, Captain Knudson received orders back to MCCES, where he served as an Instructor and Academic Officer for Company C’s Air Support Training Section. While serving at MCCES, Major Knudson graduated from Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron 1’s Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course 2-11 in Yuma, Arizona, earning the 7277 MOS.

In February 2013, Major Knudson executed orders to Marine Air Support Squadron 1 (MASS-1) at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, where he assumed command of Headquarters and Services Company. In June 2013, Major Knudson deployed as the MASS-1 Detachment Commander to Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM 13.2. Upon returning from Afghanistan in January 2014, Major Knudson assumed the duties as the MASS-1 Operations Officer until executing orders to Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) in June 2016.
Major Knudson graduated with distinction and a Master of Science in Information Technology Management from NPS. In October 2018, Major Knudson reported to Headquarters Marine Corps, Manpower and Reserve Affairs, where he worked in the Manpower Information Division to modernize the manpower information technology portfolio.
In July 2020, Major Knudson requested orders to Marine Air Support Squadron 2 aboard MCAS Futenma in Okinawa, Japan and served as the Squadron Executive Officer. In June 2021, Major Knudson assumed Marine Air Control Group 18 Executive Officer responsibilities. He was promoted to his current rank on 1 December 2021. On 1 June 2023, Lieutenant Colonel Knudson assumed command of Marine Air Support Squadron 2.
Lieutenant Colonel Knudson’s decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2 gold stars in lieu of third award), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (1 gold star in lieu of second award), and the Army Achievement Medal.

Lieutenant Colonel Knudson is married to the former Cari Colgan of Liberty, Missouri. They have two amazing daughters.

1st Marine Aircraft Wing