Chief of Staff 

Mr. Caughlan was commissioned Second Lieutenant in June 1971. Following TBS and Artillery school, he served as an artillery officer with the First Marine Division, later as an aerial observer with the VMO-6 in the Western Pacific, and as a Series Commander at MCRD San Diego.

In 1976 he was assigned to Naval Flight Training, was designated a Naval Aviator a year later, and was assigned to the Third Marine Aircraft Wing.  As a CH-46 pilot with HMM 163, he served as the Assistant Aircraft Maintenance Officer, and Squadron Operations Officer, completing two overseas deployments.

In July 1982 he was assigned to the 8th Marine Corps District in New Orleans, LA, where he was responsible for the day-to-day management and annual attainment of the enlisted recruiting mission.

Following recruiting duty he completed Command and Staff College and returned to the Third Marine Aircraft Wing as the Aircraft Maintenance Officer and Executive Officer of HMM-268, completing another WESTPAC Deployment.

In December 1987, he assumed command of HMM 163, subsequently deploying as a MEU (SOC) Aviation Combat Element to the Western Pacific. The squadron’s performance during this period earned recognition as the Marine Corps Helicopter Squadron of the Year.

In July 1990 he joined five other students as the first class of the new Marine Corps War College.  A few weeks later Iraqi forces invaded Kuwait.  The course was suspended and the students were reassigned as the Commandant’s Planning Group for Operation Desert Storm until they joined I MEF for combat operations.   Returning to CONUS, he completed the War College and joined the faculty of the Marine Corps University.

In 1993 he became the Director of Amphibious and Special Operations for NATO.  In that assignment he was responsible for preparing NATO’s JFACC doctrine and Combined Special Operations concept and execution plans.

In July 1995 he was assigned as the XO and later the CO of MCAS Tustin, closing the Air Station in October 1997.  In the same month, he was privileged to become the first Marine Commander of MCAS Miramar since World War II.  The following year the Commander, Marine Corps Air Bases Western Area relocated his flag to Miramar and he became the Chief of Staff.  In July 2001, he retired with the rank of Colonel.