MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- The Former Navy Warfare Development Command Head of Air and Land Doctrine took command of Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron during a change of command ceremony at the parade deck here June 10.
Lt. Col. Michael R. Coletta relieved Lt. Col.Tray J. Ardese, who is headed to Carlisle, Pa., where he will attend the Army War College.
Coletta graduated from the University of Rhode Island and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1994.
In 1999, Coletta deployed aboard USS John F. Kennedy in support of Operation Southern Watch.
In 2001, he deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt.
In 2004, Coletta deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom aboard the USS Harry S. Truman with Marine Aircraft Group 31, where he was nominated for the MAG-13 Marine Corps Aviation Association Aviator of the Year award.
From 2003 to 2005, he served as the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115 pilot training and aircraft maintenance officer.
In June 2006, Coletta received orders to the Naval War College in Newport, R.I., where he served as the NWDC Head of Air and Land Doctrine Officer, and, subsequently, the Newport executive assistant to Rear Admiral Wendi B. Carpenter, NWDC commander until 2009.
“I’m extremely elated and honored to be selected as the next commanding officer of H&HS,” said Coletta. “It is a true privilege to be selected to lead some of the finest men and women that Iwakuni has to offer.”
Coletta’s military education includes basic flight school, intermediate and advanced jet training, initial F/A-18 Hornet training, Expeditionary Warfare School, the USMC Weapons Tactics Instructor Course and the Navy’s Strike Fighter Weapons School.
His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Individual Air Medal with combat ‘V’, six Air Medal Strike Flight awards, the Navy Commendation Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.