Lt. Col. John M. "Ajax" Neuman, USMC

Marine Use of the Pioneer Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

About Our Speaker for the July Meeting

LtCol John M. "Ajax" Neumann, USMC was born in New Ulm, Minnesota. He enlisted in the Marine Forces Reserve in 1983, and served as a Field Radio Operator with 4th MarDiv, Military Police Company, Twin Cities, Minnesota. Upon graduation from Mankato State University in 1987, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant through the PLC program.

Following graduation from The Basic School and Air Defense Control Officers Course, he joined Marine Air Control Squadron-2 (MACS-2), 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade (1st MEB), Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii in 1988. His billets included Operations Officer, Assistant Operations Officer, and Tactical Air Operations Center (TAOC) Officer in Charge. He served as a TAOC Senior Air Director during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. During his tour with MACS-2, he graduated from both Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) and Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course.

Lieutenant Colonel Neumann transferred to Navy Fighter Weapons School, NAS Miramar in 1991, and served as a TOPGUN Instructor. His billets included Command, Control and Communications Department Head, Air Intercept Control Instructor, Threat Integrated Air Defense Systems Instructor and Assistant Standardization Officer.

Lieutenant Colonel Neumann attended the Command and Control Systems Course (CCSC), Quantico, VA during the 1995-96 academic year. He also attended the USAF Joint Air Operations Staff Course while assigned to CCSC.

In 1996 he was transferred to Marine Air Control Squadron-1 (MACS-1), 3d Marine Aircraft Wing, Camp Pendleton, CA. His duties included Tactical Air Operations Center Detachment Commander, TAOC Crew OIC, and Assistant Operations Officer.

In 1998 Lieutenant Colonel Neumann transferred to Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron-38 (MTACS-38), 3d Marine Aircraft Wing, MCAS El Toro, CA and MCAS Miramar, CA, where he served as Operations Officer and Senior Air Coordinator.

In 1999 he attended the US Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas
In 2000, Lieutenant Colonel Neumann was assigned to the faculty of the Command and Control Systems School, Marine Corps University, Quantico, VA. He served as a Faculty Advisor, MAGTF instructor, and Command and Control instructor. Upon the 2002 merger of Command and Control Systems Course and Amphibious Warfare School, Lieutenant Colonel Neumann served as the Command and Control Division Head at the Expeditionary Warfare School.

In 2003 he reported to III MEF, Okinawa, Japan for duty as G-3 Deputy Current Operations Officer and III MEF Combat Operations Center Senior Watch Officer.

Lieutenant Colonel Neumann assumed command of VMU-1 during June 2004. The Watchdogs deployed to Iraq in support of OIF-II from August 2004 to March 2005. The Watchdogs flew 3,159 combat flight hours and conducted strike coordination for 59 air and artillery missions against insurgent forces.

Lieutenant Colonel Neumann holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Mankato State University and a Master of Arts degree from Webster University.

His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with three gold stars, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.