Lieutenant Colonel Turner earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Nebraska. He entered the Marine Corps through the Platoon Leader’s Class Program and earned his wings in October of 1997.
In March of 1998, First Lieutenant Turner was assigned to the Blue Knights of HMM-365, MAG-29, MCAS New River, where he served as the Flight Equipment/Ordnance Officer, Aviation Safety Officer, and Future Operations Officer. During this tour he completed two deployments with the 26th MEU supporting OPERATION JOINT GUARDIAN and OPERATION ALLIED FORCE during the 1999 war in Kosovo, earthquake relief operations in Turkey during Operation AVID RESPONSE and a deployment to Afghanistan for OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM in 2001-2002.
Upon return from deployment, Captain Turner reported for duty with Training Wing Five, NAS Whiting Field, FL, for Instructor Pilot duty. While assigned to Helicopter Training Squadron Eight (HT-8), Captain Turner served as an Operations Flight Lead Officer and Standardization Officer.
During this tour Captain Turner submitted a request for transition/conversion to the MV-22 Osprey. He was selected and reported to MCAS New River, NC in June of 2004. While assigned to VMX-22, Captain Turner served as the Airframes and Quality Assurance Officer during the MV-22’s Operational Test and Evaluation period.
In October Major Turner then reported to the Golden Eagles of VMM-162, to serve as the S-1 Officer. From March 2008 to October 2008 Major Turner deployed to Iraq in support of OIF 08.1. In July of 2009, Major Turner transferred to the Black Knights of VMM-264, where he served as the AMO and Executive Officer. He deployed from December of 2010 to July 2011 to Helmand Province, Afghanistan in support of OEF 11.2. Upon return from deployment, Major Turner was assigned as the Operations Officer at MAG-26.
He transferred to MATSG-21, NAS Pensacola, FL, where he is currently the Executive Officer. Lieutenant Colonel Turner’s military education includes The Basic School, Expeditionary Warfare School, Command and Staff, Aviation Maintenance Officer’s School, and the Aviation Safety Course.
Lieutenant Colonel Turner’s personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal Strike/Flight (numeral 8), and two Navy Commendation Medals.