Lieutenant Colonel Ashford was born in Milton, Florida. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1993 and served as a Combat Engineer with Charlie Co, 4th CEB while attending Virginia Tech. He received his Bachelor's degree in History, graduated from Officer Candidate School and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in August 1997. Upon completion of The Basic School in July 1998 and the Infantry Officers’ Course in October 1998, Second Lieutenant Ashford underwent Naval Aviation training in Pensacola, Florida, before being designated a Naval Aviator in June 2000. In July 2000, First Lieutenant Ashford reported to HMT-303, MAG-39, Camp Pendleton for instruction as an AH-1W pilot.
In December 2000, First Lieutenant Ashford reported to HMLA-369. In December 2001 Captain Ashford deployed with HMM-165(Rein) as part of the 13th MEU(SOC) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Anaconda. In April 2003, he deployed with HMLA-369 to Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). In December 2003, Captain Ashford deployed to Okinawa, Japan with HMM-265(Rein) as part of the 31st MEU(SOC). After returning to HMLA-369, Captain Ashford attended Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course 1-05 and deployed in September 2005 to OIF 04-06.
In July 2006, Captain Ashford reported to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One in Yuma, Arizona and served in the AH-1W Division. He also became a Forward Air Controller and served two years as the Rotary Wing OAS Specialist in ADT&E. In September 2007, Major Ashford converted to the AH-1Z and participated in Operational Evaluation of the H-1 Upgrades aircraft. He became the first MAWTS-1 Instructor qualified in the AH-1Z and served as the H-1 Upgrades Program SME.
In August 2009, Major Ashford reported to Marine Corps Command and Staff College in Quantico, Virginia, where he earned his Master’s Degree in Military Studies.
In June 2010, Major Ashford reported to HMLA-267 in Camp Pendleton, served as the Operations Officer and deployed to Afghanistan in support of OEF 11.1. After returning from deployment, Major Ashford refreshed in the AH-1Z and served as the Aircraft Maintenance Officer and Executive Officer.
In May 2013, Major Ashford reported to the Pentagon, Washington, D.C. for duty in the Plans, Programs, Doctrine, Budget and Joint Matters Branch (APP) of the Aviation Department of Headquarters Marine Corps. He served as the Joint Fire Support and TACP Advocate (APP-36), Aviation Training and Readiness Officer (APP-33), and the Green POM Coordinator (APP-23).
In May 2016, Lieutenant Colonel Ashford reported to MAG-39 in Camp Pendleton, served as the Operations Officer and learned to fly the UC-35D with H&HS, MCAS Miramar.
In May 2017, Lieutenant Colonel Ashford reported to Okinawa, Japan and served as Commanding Officer of H&HS, MCAS Futenma from June 2017 to June 2019, flying Operational Support Airlift missions throughout the INDOPACOM AOR in both the UC-35D and UC-12W. Following command, Lieutenant Colonel Ashford served as the Deputy G3 for 1st MAW.
In June 2020, Lieutenant Colonel Ashford reported to MATSG-21, became an instructor in the T-6B and flew with VT-3 before assuming his current position as Executive Officer.
Lieutenant Colonel Ashford’s personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with three gold stars, Air Medal-Strike/Flight with numeral ‘27’, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with three gold stars, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.