TW5 Leadership

Commodore

Colonel Krockel was commissioned in 1998 after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from the University of California, Los Angeles.

After completing flight training in the CH-46E, Col Krockel reported to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 162, New River, NC. In 2003, he deployed with the squadron in support of the Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). In 2004, he deployed with the 3d Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) as the first Rotary Wing Fragger in Al Asad, Iraq. In 2005, he deployed with HMM-162 (REIN) in support of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) where he supported OIF and exercises in Jordan and Israel.

In 2006, Col Krockel reported to Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD, as the Joint Mission Planning System-Expeditionary Project Manager. During this time, he graduated from the University of Management and Technology with a Master of Science in Project Management. Returning to New River, NC in 2009, Col Krockel deployed in support of OIF 9.2 as the 2d MAW (Fwd) Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations.

In 2010, Col Krockel transitioned to the MV-22 and was assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 365 as the Aircraft Maintenance Officer and Executive Officer (XO) during a deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 12.1 in southwest Afghanistan. In 2013, he continued as the XO while in support of the inaugural Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Crisis Response – Africa based out of Moron, Spain. In 2013, he reported to the Pentagon to work in the office of the Director, Air Warfare (OPNAV N98) as the MV-22 resource sponsor.

In 2016, Col Krockel assumed command of VMM-365. While in command of the 24th MEU Aviation Combat Element (ACE), Col Krockel deployed to Haiti and served as the Forward Command Element Officer in Charge of Joint Task Force Hurricane Matthew. In 2017, he led the "Blue Knights" on a MEU deployment in support of combat operations on the Arabian Peninsula and numerous bi-lateral exercises. Following this deployment, he deployed with the squadron to support civil authority efforts in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria.

In 2018, Col Krockel returned to the Pentagon as a program analyst in the office of the Director for Integrated Warfare (OPNAV N9I). Following Portuguese language training, Col Krockel graduated with distinction from the Inter-American Defense College in Washington, DC with a Master of Science in Inter-American Defense and Security.

In 2020, Col Krockel reported to III Marine Expeditionary Force in Okinawa, Japan as the Director for Training, Exercises and Readiness and was subsequently slated for command of Training Air Wing FIVE. In 2021, Col Krockel reported to Whiting Field, Florida as the Wing Deputy Commodore before taking command in Sep 2023.