Commanding Officer
LtCol Timothy J. Farag
Lieutenant Colonel Farag hails from La Cañada, California and graduated from San Diego State University in May 2003 with a Bachelors of Science degree in Biology. He was commissioned from the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps as an Ensign in the United States Navy and reported to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida to commence flight training. In February 2005, during intermediate flight training, he was selected for an inter-service transfer and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. He proceeded to advanced flight training at NAS Kingsville, Texas where he promoted to First Lieutenant and on 16 December 2005 was designated a Naval Aviator.
First Lieutenant Farag then attended The Basic School (TBS) for Marine Officers in Quantico, Virginia graduating October 2006 and reported to Marine Aircraft Group 11 (MAG-11) and Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 101 (VMFAT-101) at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California for training in the F/A-18 Hornet.
In August 2007, First Lieutenant Farag promoted to Captain, and subsequently, reported to VMFA(AW)-242, "The Bats" for three months as a Schedules Officer. In December 2007 he joined VMFA-314, "The Black Knights" while they were on a Unit Deployment Package (UDP) in Iwakuni, Japan. Captain Farag deployed with The Black Knights again in March 2009 to Al Asad Air Base, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In September 2009, Captain Farag completed Expeditionary Warfare School through Marine Corps University’s non-resident course and in April 2010 graduated from Tactical Air Control Party School as a Forward Air Controller (FAC). Captain Farag held the billets of Adjutant and Airframes Division Officer in VMFA-314.
In May 2010, Captain Farag reported to 2d Battalion, 3d Marines “Island Warriors” aboard Marine Corps Base Kaneohe, Hawaii and deployed October 2010 to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom where he served as the Battalion Air Officer and Echo Company FAC. Captain Farag transferred back to MAG-11 in September 2011 and was assigned to VMFA-232, “Red Devils”. He deployed with the Red Devils on two UDPs in March 2012 and September 2013. Captain Farag graduated from the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) in December 2012 and the Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course (WTI) in April 2013. As a Red Devil, he served as the Logistics Officer, Assistant Operations Officer, and the Pilot Training Officer promoting to Major in January 2014.
Major Farag proceeded to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) where he served from July 2014 through 2017 as an F/A-18 Instructor, Range Officer, and TACAIR Department Head. He completed the Command and Staff College non-resident course in 2016. He proceeded back to MAG-11 and, once again, joined VMFA-314 initially as Executive Officer. He deployed to Isa Air Base, Bahrain in 2018 as the Operations Officer in support of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force 18.2 and Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq and Syria. He later served as the Aircraft Maintenance Officer mangaging the squadron’s F/A-18 Legacy Sundown. In July 2019, Major Farag transferred to MAG-11 to work as the F/A-18 Deputy Type/Model/Series Lead and F-35 Transitions Officer. He promoted to Lieutenant Colonel on 1 October 2019.
Lieutenant Colonel Farag was selected as the Prospective Commanding Officer for VMFA-121 “Green Knights” and assigned to VMFAT-501 Warlords at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina for conversion training in the F-35B. In October 2020, Lieutenant Colonel Farag checked into VMFA-121 and was the Detachment Officer in Charge supporting the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit 21.1 deployment.
Lieutenant Colonel Farag has over 2,500 total flight hours. His personal Awards include the Strike Flight Air Medal with the numeral six, Meritorious Service Medal, three Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
Lieutenant Colonel Farag is married to the former Sheena Hagopian of Corpus Christi, TX. They have two daughters named Eden, born 30 March 2017, and Naomi, born 24 January 2019.