Biography

Colonel Russell A. Blauw graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelors of Science Degree in April, 1991.  He attended Officers Candidates Class 148 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps in December 1991.  He graduated from The Basic School in July 1992, and was assigned to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26, Marine Corps Air Station New River for duty.       

While at MALS-26, Second Lieutenant Blauw was assigned as Production Control Officer and Quality Assurance Officer.  He graduated from Aircraft Maintenance Officer School, Pensacola, FL in December 1992.  In May 1993 Second Lieutenant Blauw was reassigned to the "White Knights" of Marine Medium Helicopter Training Squadron 204, for duty as Maintenance Material Control Officer.  He was promoted to First Lieutenant in Dec 1993, and in January 1995, he was reassigned to the "Fighting Griffins" of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 266 also as Maintenance Material Control Officer.  He was promoted to Captain in March 1996. 

In April 1997 Captain Blauw was reassigned to Officers Candidates School as a Platoon Commander prior to attending Amphibious Warfare School Quantico, VA in August 1997.  Upon graduation from AWS in April 1998, he was assigned to Manpower and Reserve Affairs, MMOA-2, Headquarters Marine Corps as Aviation/Ground Company Grade Monitor until June 2000.  During his final year at MMOA, Captain Blauw served as the Joint Officer Matters Officer.  He was promoted to Major in June 2001.   

Major Blauw then reported to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 31, Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, SC where he served as Operations Officer and Executive Officer until July 2004.  In August 2004, he reported to the College of Naval Command and Staff, Naval War College, Newport, RI.  He graduated in May 2005 with a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies.  In July 2005, he was assigned to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Air Warfare, (OPNAV N88).  During his tour he served as Joint Strike Fighter Requirements Officer for Maintenance and Logistics.  He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in July 2007.

Following his pentagon tour with OPNAV N88, LtCol Blauw reported to MCAS Beaufort where he assumed command of MALS-31 on 29 May 2009.  He relinquished command on 6 May 2011.  He then assumed command of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 40, Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan on 2 July 2011 to 19 February 2012 as part of Second Marine Aircraft Wing (Fwd) in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.  In Aug 2012 he reported to The Eisenhower School (Formerly Industrial College of the Armed Forces) in Washington, D.C.  He graduated on 13 June 2013 with a Masters in National Security and Resource Strategy.  LtCol Blauw reported on 19 June 2013 to the Aviation Department, HQMC where he served as the F-35 Logistics and Sustainment lead in the F-35 Cell, and as the 6002 Occupational Field Sponsor.  He was promoted to Colonel on 1 Oct 2013 and will assume command of Marine Aviation Training Support Group Twenty-Three, Pensacola, FL on 5 September 2014.