Commanding Officer
LtCol Jason R. Laird

LtCol Jason Laird was born in Lufkin, Texas on 19 October 1980. He graduated from Rockport Fulton High School in 1999 and attended Wayland Baptist University, earning a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Business Administration. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant through the OCC program in 2004. His military education includes The Basic School, Naval Flight Training, CH-46 / MV-22 Flight Training, Legal Officer Course, Quality Assurance Administration Course, Expeditionary Warfare School, and MAWTS-1 Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course. LtCol Laird holds a Master’s degrees from the USMC Command and Staff College, and Naval Postgraduate School.

Upon completion of The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia, Second Lieutenant Laird reported to MATSG-21 in Pensacola, Florida. He continued on to MATSG-22 in Corpus Christi, Texas for Primary Flight Training, and then returned to Florida for Advance Flight Training where he was subsequently designated as a Naval Aviator. In October of 2006, he reported to HMMT-164 on MCAS Camp Pendleton, California for training in the CH-46E. In March of 2007, he continued on to HMM-365 on MCAS New River, North Carolina. During his time at HMM / VMM-365 Captain Laird conducted numerous deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and held a multitude of billets.  In December of 2012, he was reassigned to MAG-36 in Okinawa, Japan.  After seven months of operating with VMM-265 and assisting the MAG-36 staff, Captain Laird was sent to HMM-262 to aid in the squadrons MV-22B transition. During his tenure at HMM / VMM-262 Major Laird served as the Assistant Operations Officer and Aircraft Maintenance Officer for the 31st MEU ACE. While in VMM-262, Major Laird deployed multiple times in support of operations in Korea, The Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Nepal.

In February of 2016, Major Laird transferred to MATSS-1 Futenma and worked as the site OIC and Flight Leadership Standardization Evaluator before moving on to HQMC. During his time in Washington, DC LtCol Laird served as the HQMC MV-22B Requirements Officer and as Aide de camp for the Deputy Commandant for Marine Aviation.  After completing his tour at HQMC, LtCol Laird transferred back to MAG-36 where he served as the Group Operations Officer.

LtCol Laird is married to Annette Laird of Harlingen, Texas and has two children, Jason and Alivia.