COLONEL PAUL A. FORTUNATO - Director, CMC Safety Division
Colonel Fortunato was born in Cleveland, Ohio. He graduated from The Ohio State University in 1988 and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Welding Engineering. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant upon graduation in June 1988.
Colonel Fortunato was designated a Naval Aviator in December 1990 and reported to HMT-302, MCAS Tustin, California, for training in the CH-53E. In July 1991, he reported to HMH-464 at MCAS New River, North Carolina, where he served as the NBC Officer and the Flight Officer. In September 1992, he transferred to HMM-263 (Rein) and the 24th MEU(SOC) as the CH‑53E Flight Officer and deployed to Southwest Asia aboard the USS WASP. This deployment included operations in Somalia as part of Operation RESTORE HOPE and operations in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. He returned to HMH-464 in August 1993 as the Assistant Operations Officer and the Flight Line Officer. In October 1994, he returned to HMM-263 (Rein) and the 24th MEU(SOC) as the ACE Flight Line Officer where he deployed aboard the USS KEARSARGE and supported Operations DENY FLIGHT and PROVIDE PROMISE and participated in a TRAP mission to rescue a downed Air Force pilot from Bosnia. He returned to HMH-464 where he served as the NATOPS officer and the Director of Safety and Standardization.
In August 1996, Colonel Fortunato reported to Quantico, Virginia, as a student at the Amphibious Warfare School. Upon graduation with honors in May 1997, he reported to the 10th Marine Artillery Regiment, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, as the Air Officer and Assistant Operations Officer. He again reported to HMH-464 in August 1998 and served as the Director of Safety and Standardization, the Maintenance Officer, and the Executive Officer. In May 2000, he transferred to HMM-162 (Rein) and the 22nd MEU(SOC) as the CH-53E detachment officer-in-charge and ACE future operations officer. In August 2001, Colonel Fortunato reported to the Marine Corps University as a student at the USMC Command and Staff College where he was awarded a Master of Military Studies degree. In June 2002, he reported to the Headquarters Marine Corps Department of Aviation where he served in the Aviation Plans, Programs and Budget Branch.
Colonel Fortunato took command of the Lucky Red Lions of HMH-363 in May 2004. While in command, the Squadron successfully deployed in support of the Unit Deployment Program to Japan, sourced a MEU detachment to Iraq, supported amphibious and other exercises and missions in the Hawaiian Operations Area, and received the CNO’s Aviation Safety Award. After relinquishing command in December 2006, he served as the MAG-24 Operations Officer until reporting to the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in Washington, DC in August 2006. Colonel Fortunato was awarded a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy and reported for duty with the Joint Staff, J-5 in June 2007 where he served as a Strategic Planner, Executive Assistant, and the Assistant Deputy Director for Strategy & Policy. Colonel Fortunato assumed responsibilities as the Director of the Headquarters Marine Corps Safety Division in October 2009.
Colonel Fortunato has flown more than 2300 flight hours. His personal decorations include the Single Mission Air Medal with Combat "V," the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with one gold star in lieu of 2nd award, the Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal with three gold stars in lieu of 4th award, and the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal with one gold star in lieu of 2nd award.