Col Descheneaux was born in Lowell, MA and entered the Marine Corps through the Platoon Leader’s Class in 1985. In 1987 he graduated from Norwich University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and was commissioned a second lieutenant. Designated a Naval Aviator in 1990, he went on to complete VMGRT-253 KC-130 training and ordered to VMGR-152 in Okinawa, Japan. Returning from the Far East in 1992, Capt Descheneaux joined VMGR-352 in El Toro, CA. In August 1992, he deployed with Central Command (CENTCOM) to the Horn of Africa as a member of Joint Task Force Provide Relief. There he helped establish and conduct famine relief operations throughout Somalia and Kenya. From 1992 through 1994, Capt Descheneaux spent a majority of his time forward deployed in Africa. There he planned and executed I Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), CENTCOM and United Nations (UNOSOM II) missions while supporting Operations PROVIDE RELIEF, RESTORE HOPE, CONTINUE HOPE, and QUICK DRAW.
Civil war and genocide had erupted in Rwanda by mid 1994. As the operations officer of the 11th MEU(SOC)’s KC-130 Detachment, Capt Descheneaux helped plan and execute the airfield seizure and subsequent non-combatant evacuation operation (NEO) in Bujumbura, Burundi. In one of the longest in-land NEOs on record, Capt Descheneaux and the Marines of Operation DISTANT RUNNER successfully evacuated the US Ambassador and over 240 American citizens caught in the bloody conflict.
In 1995 Capt Descheneaux was designated a Forward Air Controller and joined the 15th MEU(SOC) as the Assistant Air Officer. He deployed onboard USS PELELIU to again conduct MAGTF exercises in the Far East and Operation SOUTHERN WATCH in the Middle East. Capt Descheneaux rejoined VMGR-352 in 1996. Promoted to major in 1997, he later re-deployed to Kuwait for Operation INFINITE SENTINAL. In 1998 he left active duty and transferred to VMGR-234 in Ft Worth, TX. In 1999 he deployed to Incerlik, Turkey with Combined Task Force NORTHERN WATCH to serve as the operations officer of a USMC/USAF combat search and rescue (CSAR) detachment. In 2002 he deployed with the 24th MEU(SOC)’s KC-130 Detachment to support NATO peacekeeping missions in Kosovo during Operation DYNAMIC RESPONSE.
Major Descheneaux deployed to the Middle East with VMGR-234 in support of Operations ENDURING/IRAQI FREEDOM in early 2003. He would go on to conduct extensive KC-130 assault support missions in the drive to Baghdad and into Phase IV stability operations. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel that summer and returned to the U.S. in September 2003. By the spring of 2004 LtCol Descheneaux had re-deployed to Al Anbar Province. There he served I MEF as the composite KC-130 Detachment Commander responsible for all KC-130 assault support missions in country through September 2004.
In July 2005 LtCol Descheneaux transferred to Maxwell AFB to attend the U.S. Air War College. Upon graduation, he returned to Ft Worth to serve as the Commanding Officer of the MALS-41. In August 2008, he relinquished command and transferred to II MEF in Camp Lejeune, NC. He was promoted to colonel that November. As the II MEF Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations, Individual Mobilized Augment, Col Descheneaux was directly involved with revitalizing II MEF forcible entry operations from the sea. In November 2010, Col Descheneaux transferred to Willow Grove, PA to serve as the MAG-49 Deputy Group Commander.
Col Descheneaux holds a Masters degree in Business Administration from Columbia College of Missouri, a Masters in Strategic Studies from the US Air War College, and is a graduate of the Joint and Combined Warfighting School at the Joint Forces Staff College. He has flown 319 combat missions in Iraq, Kosovo, Burundi and Somalia while accumulating over 3,400 mishap free military flight hours.