Lieutenant Colonel Paul M. Melchior

Commanding Officer, Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Marine Unit

Lieutenant Colonel Melchior enlisted in the Marine Corps September 1986 after 2 years of college at Madison and was screened and selected to attend KC-130 Airborne Radio Operator School after graduating Maintenance Indoctrination Training at Millington Tennessee. Upon graduation from Aircrew Training School in Pensacola, Florida, he transferred to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, NC where he attended Loadmaster/Airborne Radio Operator Training and Aerial Delivery School. After receiving his aircrew wings at VMGRT-253, Lieutenant Colonel Melchior served two Fleet KC-130 Squadrons, VMGR-252 and VMGR-152, and held a variety of billets including Tactics and Planning NCO and certified as an 8531 Primary Marksmanship Instructor. He participated in several operations including Fiery Vigil in the Philippines, NEO Joint Task Force support in Sierra Leone, Africa, Displayed Determination in Turkey, Hurricane Andrew Relief in Florida, and Support Democracy in Cuba.

After selection to the Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron, Lieutenant Colonel Melchior applied for commissioning and was selected during his second year Airshow Season with the Blue Angels. He was commissioned as a 2ndlt from the Enlisted Commission Program in December of 1995. After completing The Basic School in Quantico, VA, he began Aviation Maintenance Officer training in Pensacola, FL and continued on to MALS-31 in Beaufort, SC. He held a variety of billets including Airframes Officer before transferring to VMFA-122 as the Maintenance and Material Control Officer. He made two six month deployments to Iwakuni, Japan and participated in several exercises including Rum Punch in Puerto Rico, Pitch Black in Northern Australia, and Cope North in South Korea.

After returning to CONUS, Lieutenant Colonel Melchior was assigned as the Aviation Maintenance Squadron One Aircraft Division Liaison Officer at Naval Aviation Technical Training Center, Pensacola Florida. He was then was assigned as Marine Aviation Training Support Group 21 Director of Training before being appointed as Executive Officer for Aviation Maintenance Squadron Two.

In 1999, Lieutenant Colonel Melchior was selected as the Foreign Exchange Maintenance Officer for Three Squadron attached to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) located in Williamtown, Australia. During his tour, Lieutenant Colonel Melchior deployed with 4 F/A-18Cs and a tiger team of 40 RAAF members to execute code name “Op SLIPPER”, a forward RAAF air support deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in immediate response to 9/11. Upon completion of his Foreign Exchange Tour, he was assigned to VMFA-212 as Assistant Aircraft Maintenance Officer in Iwakuni, Japan. Lieutenant Colonel Melchior finished his overseas tour in Iwakuni assigned to MALS-12 as the Operations Officer. He then was selected to attend the Naval War College, Newport, RI, as a student of the College of Naval Command and Staff. After graduation, Lieutenant Colonel Melchior was transferred to Patuxent River and assigned to PMA-257 as the Assistant Program Manager for Logistics supporting the AV-8B Harrier.

Lieutenant Colonel Melchior holds Masters Degrees in Aeronautical Science from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College and a Bachelors degree in Aviation Management from Southern Illinois University. His personal awards include Navy and Marine Corps Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two gold stars in lieu of 3rd award, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with three gold stars in lieu of 4th award, Good Conduct Medal with 2 bronze stars in lieu of 3rd award, and Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.