Squadron Augment Unit | VT-21

Commanding Officer

Lieutenant Colonel Dean "Melman" Collins is from Batavia, Illinois and is a 2008 graduate of the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. After commissioning in 2009 LtCol Collins completed the Basic School with subsequent orders to Pensacola, FL for flight training.

LtCol Collins completed primary flight training with VT-6 in Pensacola and advanced flight training with VT-7 in Meridian, MS, earning his wings in June 2012. He then reported to VAQ-129 aboard NAS Whidbey Island, WA for training as a Fleet Replacement Pilot in the EA-6B Prowler. LtCol Collins finished the EA-6B syllabus in September 2013 with follow-on orders to the Moondogs of VMAQ-3 in Cherry Point, NC.

LtCol Collins served with VMAQ-3 from 2013 through 2018, as the Aviation Safety Officer (ASO), Airframes Division Officer, Quality Assurance Officer, and Assistant Maintenance Officer. He deployed with the squadron three times, additionally supporting multiple training exercises around the U.S. including RED FLAG and Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) Course. His deployments include the following: Al-Udeid Air Base, Qatar (2014) flying missions in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and INHERENT RESOLVE; Iwakuni, Japan (2015) supporting multiple theater and joint exercises in Japan, South Korea, and Guam; and Incirlik Air Base, Turkey (2017) leading mission in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE. In 2018 LtCol Collins helped decommission VMAQ-3 and EA-6B platform.

Following decommissioning of the EA-6B, LtCol Collins received orders to VT-22 in Kingsville, TX. As an instructor pilot in VT-22 he served as the squadron ASO, four-time weapons detachment OIC, and Training Officer. LtCol Collins exited active duty and joined the VT-22 reserves in 2021 where he served as the Marine Corps Reserve Instructor Pilot (MCRIP) Senior Marine. LtCol Collins assumed command of the VT-21 SAU in November 2025.

LtCol Collins completed the School of Aviation Safety as the honor graduate, completed CRM Instructor Course, and graduated the WTI course academic syllabus. He has over 2,700 mishap free flight hours in the EA-6B and T-45C. He held the following EA-6B fleet qualifications: Division Lead, EWTO, NSI, Mission Commander, FCF, ANI, IE, and CRM-I; he is a current T-45C Strike Lead and BFM Lead. His personal decorations include 4 Air Medals, 2 Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals, 2 Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and various other unit and campaign awards.