Major Joshua Soltan is a native of Spokane, Washington and in 2010 graduated from Central Washington University with a Bachelor of Science in Aviation and a Minor in Business Administration. In August, he earned his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps through the Platoon Leaders Course program. He reported to Officer Selection Office, 12th Recruiting District Seattle, Washington as an Assistant Officer Recruiter.
In 2011, he transferred to The Basic School at Camp Barrett, Quantico, Virginia to complete training. Major Soltan reported to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida for Aviation Indoctrination in 2011. Following, he completed Primary flight training in the T-34C “Turbomentor” with Training Squadron (VT) 27 and finished Advanced training in the T-44C “Pegasus” while assigned to VT-31 in August 2013 at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas. He earned his Naval Aviator wings of gold on August 2, 2013. Major Soltan then reported to the Fleet Replacement Detachment-East, at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, North Carolina for initial training in the KC-130J Super Hercules. Following the completion of training, Major Soltan reported to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 252 “OTIS”, where he qualified as a copilot, before transferring to VMGR-152 “SUMOS” aboard MCAS Futenma and then squadron relocation to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan in 2014.
There he served as Flight Duty Officer, Aviation Safety Officer, and instructor pilot in support of 1st Marine Air Wing, numerous forward deployed exercises, and humanitarian aid missions such as Operation Sahayogi Haat and Joint Task Force (JTF) 505 in 2015. After completing his tour with the “SUMOS” in 2017, Major Soltan reported to EWTGLANT, at Little Creek, Norfolk, Virginia, to qualify as a Joint Terminal Attack Controller, then served with 2d Reconnaissance Battalion aboard Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, as the Air Officer and Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC).
Major Soltan supported a variety of deployments and exercises with the 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, including Trident Juncture 2018, the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and several joint and foreign advisory roles within the joint battle space and fires community. Lastly, he was afforded the opportunity to attend Army Airborne course aboard Fort Benning, Georgia in April 2018 and then further qualifying as a Naval Parachutist with follow on training. In 2019, Major Soltan returned to VMGR-252, where he filled the billets of Airframes Maintenance Division Officer, Assistant Aircraft Maintenance Officer, and Assistant Operations Officer. He served as an instructor pilot and Harvest Hawk Fire Control Officer, with support to numerous operations and service level exercises.
In 2021 September, Major Soltan was selected as a Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron "The Blue Angels" demonstration pilot for the C-130J "Fat Albert" program and served 3 years on the team until November 2024. Follow on orders were to VMGR-153 "HERCULES" were he served as Aircraft Maintenance Officer (AMO) and instructor pilot/KC-130J Aircraft Commander in support of III MEF operations throughout the Pacific AOR.
He has accumulated more than 2,400 flight hours, a spectrum of tactical instructor and flight leadership qualifications with support of numerous operations and exercises in the European, Middle Eastern, and the Pacific areas of responsibility. His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and various personal and service support medals.