3rd Marine Aircraft Wing

Edward W. Powers spent his formative years in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. In 1996, he graduated from Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Literature with a minor in the Philosophy of Religion. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in December 1997 via the Officer Candidate Course. Following completion of The Basic School, Second Lieutenant Powers reported to NAS Pensacola for flight training and was designated a Naval Aviator in September 2000.

First Lieutenant Powers reported to HMT-303 in October of 2000 at MCAS Camp Pendleton for initial training in the UH-1N Huey. In May 2001, First Lieutenant Powers joined the Gunfighters of HMLA-369 where he served a short term in the Humans Affairs Department as the Family Readiness Officer, and thereafter he served in the Operations Department holding various billets. Captain Powers completed four deployments while with HMLA-369.  In November of 2001, he deployed to Okinawa Japan in support of the Unit Deployment Program. Then, in April of 2003, he deployed to Ali Al Salem Airbase in Kuwait in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 2-2. After a quick turn-around, he again deployed to Okinawa in December 2003, this time attached to HMM-365 as part of the 31st MEU. Following the 31st MEU, Captain Powers successfully completed Weapons and Tactics Instructor course 1-04 in October 2004. He finished his first tour as a Gunfighter with a second combat tour in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 5-7, operating out of Al Taqaddum Airbase.
In May of 2006, Captain Powers transferred to MAWTS-1 in Yuma, Arizona to be an instructor pilot. While a member of the Huey Division at MAWTS-1 he held the billets of Division Operations Officer, Major Evolution Coordinator for Assault Support Training 1(AST 1), and UH Division Head. He also underwent the series conversion from the UH-1N to the UH-1Y platform during this tour.

Following his tour in Yuma, Major Powers was selected to attend U.S.Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC) in Leavenworth, Kansas. While successfully completing the course of study at CGSC, Major Powers concurrently earned a Master’s of Liberal Arts from Baker University concentrating in Literature Studies.

Returning to Marine Aircraft Group 39 in July of 2010, Major Powers became the Operations Officer for the MAG-39 Transition Training Unit where he assisted with the MAG’s transition from the UH-1N to the UH-1Y airframe.

In May of 2011, Major Powers returned to HMLA-369, assuming the role of Assistant Operations Officer and deploying in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 11.2-12.1 in October 2011. While in theater he took over as the Operations Officer in May 2012 and then assumed the Executive Officer billet in May 2013. He completed the tour as HMLA-369 Detachment B OIC in November of 2013.  On 13 June 2014, Lieutenant Colonel Powers assumed command of HMLA-469 “Vengeance” 

Lieutenant Colonel Powers has amassed over 3300 flight hours in Naval aircraft. His personal decorations include the Air Medal with Strike/Flight numeral 20, Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two Gold Stars, and Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal.