Colonel Robert M. Brassaw graduated from the University of Florida and was commissioned in December 1987. He was designated a Naval Aviator in July of 1990 and assigned to MCAS Tustin as a CH-46 pilot. From 1991 to 1995, he served with HMM-764 and HMM-166. He completed two MEU (SOC) deployments and supported Operation RESTORE HOPE in Somalia.
From 1995 to 1999, he was assigned to Marine Helicopter Squadron One and was designated a Presidential Command Pilot during this tour.
Reporting to Marine Aircraft Group 16 in June of 1999, he served as HMM-161 Aircraft Maintenance Officer, MAG-16 Tactics Officer, HMM-166 Director of Safety and Standardization, and HMM-163 Operations Officer. During this tour, he deployed twice with 15th MEU (SOC) conducting humanitarian assistance in East Timor and combat operations in Afghanistan at the outset of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
Assigned in June 2002 to Headquarters Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO in Naples Italy where he served as Future Air Operations Officer and Exercise Planner. While assigned to NATO he deployed to Kosovo for Operation JOINT GUARDIAN.
In May of 2005, Colonel Brassaw assumed command of HMM-161 and deployed for Operation IRAQI FREEDOM as the primary casualty evacuation squadron for the “Sunni Triangle.” Under his leadership, HMM-161 received its fourth and fifth consecutive Chief of Naval Operations Safety Awards and the Marine Corps Aviation Association’s 2006 Commandant’s Aviation Trophy in recognition as the best overall performance by a Marine squadron. He relinquished command in November 2006.
In January of 2007, he was assigned as an individual augment to U.S. Central Command in Tampa, FL. He served six months as a Joint Interagency Coordination Group planner and then attended the Naval War College in Newport, RI where he graduated with distinction. In July of 2008, he was assigned to U.S. Southern Command as the Deputy Director for Theater Plans and Programs within the J-5.
In May of 2009, Colonel Brassaw assumed command of Marine Aircraft Group 36 in Okinawa Japan. During this tour, MAG-36 deployed as the 3rd MEB Aviation Combat Element to support disaster relief operations in the Philippines on two occasions and mainland Japan for Operation TOMODACHI immediately following the devastating tsunami and damage to the Fukushima Nuclear Reactor. He assumed his present duties as Marine Forces Central Command Chief of Staff in July 2011.
Colonel Brassaw is a graduate of the Naval War College, the Joint Forces Staff College, and the Weapons and Tactics Instructor course. His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star, the Air Medal with Strike/Flight numeral “9”, the Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Presidential Service Badge.