Biography
Commanding Officer, Marine Aircraft Group 13
Colonel Roy Nicka

Colonel Roy Nicka is a 2000 graduate of United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in Weapons and Systems Engineering.  He was commissioned in May 2000, designated a Naval Aviator in May, 2003 and completed his initial qualification in the F/A-18 in May, 2004.

Col Nicka’s operational assignments include land-based Unit Deployment Programs with Marine Fighter Attack Squadrons 122 and 115, a Forward Air Controller Tour during Operation Iraqi Freedom with 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, and commanding Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 during Operation Inherent Resolve.  He held squadron billets in operations, maintenance, and headquarters to include Powerline Officer, Safety Officer, Pilot Training Officer, Director of Safety and Standardization, Operations Officer, Maintenance Officer, and Executive Officer.  In addition, he served as the Marine Aviation Training System Site Beaufort Officer in Charge and the Marine Aircraft Group 31 Operations Officer.

Col Nicka’s non-operational assignments include instructor pilot duty at Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1), where he served as the Marine Corps Subject Matter Expert on Fighter Attack Missions, Strike Mission Planning, F/A-18 Combat Systems, and Shot Validation.   Following command of the Thunderbolts, Col Nicka served as the United States Naval Academy Marine Detachment Chief of Staff and the Headquarters Marine Corps Department of Aviation, Air Warfare Systems – Tactical Aviation Branch Head.

Col Nicka earned a Master of Military Studies Degree from the Marine Corps Command and Staff College. He is also a graduate of the Air War College Distance Education Program.  

Col Nicka has over 2,600 flight hours in the F/A-18A-D, F-5F/N and the F-35B; he is also a graduate of the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) and the MAWTS-1 Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course. He has been privileged to serve in units that have earned one Navy Unit Commendation and four Navy Meritorious Unit Commendations.  He is married to his wife of 19 years, and they have three children.