command patchReserve Component // Training Air Wing Four

Squadron Augment Unit | VT-28

Commanding Officer

CDR Ian Stephenson

Cmdr. Ian Stephenson grew up in Los Olivos, California, and Brattleboro, Vermont. In 1996, he graduated from Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, followed by Cornell University in 2000, where he earned dual majors in government and Russian studies.

After two years working as a software developer in San Diego, Stephenson joined the Marine Corps, commissioning through Officer Candidate School in December 2002. He began flight training, beginning with the "Red Knights" of Training Squadron (VT) 3 in Milton, Florida, then the "Golden Eagles" of VT-22 in Kingsville, Texas. He selected the AV-8B Harrier out of flight school, and reported to Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, North Carolina, for training with the "Hawk" of Marine Attack Training Squadron (VMAT) 203. Right down the street, he joined the "Tigers" of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMA) 542, his fleet squadron from 2006-2009.

In 2008, as an individual augment assignment, Stephenson was selected to join the Future Operations section of the II Marine Expeditionary Force (II MEF) battle staff, deploying to Al Asad Airbase in Anbar Province, Iraq. Among other duties, he helped plan the overall redeployment of Marine forces out of Iraq, setting the stage for a renewed emphasis on Afghanistan as the USMC's main effort.

After completing his Harrier fleet tour, he reported to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, for duty as a Forward Air Controller for 3d Battalion, 9th Marines. After a six-month workup and training period, 3/9 deployed to Marjah, Afghanistan, with the mission of supporting Afghan civil authority and disrupting Taliban drug operations. While attached to India Company 3/9, Stephenson walked daily foot patrols, directed air strikes and airborne medical evacuations, and managed airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance assets.

Returning to the United States, Stephenson reported to instructor duty with the "Rangers" of VT-28 in Corpus Christi, Texas, in 2011, where he accumulated over 1,000 hours in the T-34C Turbomentor. Discovering his passion for flight instruction, he applied for and received a commission in the Navy Reserve, and in 2014 joined the VT-28 Squadron Augment Unit (SAU), where he continues to teach.

After twelve years as a Ranger, Stephenson became the commanding officer of the VT-28 SAU in February 2023. He has accumulated over 3,000 hours in military aircraft and has been awarded the Navy Commendation Medal (3) and Navy Achievement Medal (2). He is also a First Officer with United Airlines in the Airbus 320.

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