3rd Marine Aircraft Wing

Major Conley enlisted in the Marine Corps’ delayed entry program in February 1993 and attended Recruit Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego. After completion of the required MOS schools, Private First Class Conley was qualified as an AV-8B power plant mechanic in December of 1993. He then served with MALS-12, MALS-13, and MALS-14 from 1993 to 1999. While with MALS-14 Sergeant Conley was selected to attend Officer Candidate School through the Meritorious Commissioning Program.  In April of 1999 Sergeant Conley was commissioned a Second Lieutenant through the Officers Candidate Course and then completed The Basic School thereafter. Second Lieutenant Conley reported to 71st Flying Training Wing, Vance Air Force Base for flight training and was designated a Naval Aviator on 30 March 2001 at MATSG Pensacola.  Subsequently, he reported to HMMT-164, MCAS Camp Pendleton for training in the CH-46E.

In September 2001, First Lieutenant Conley reported to HMM-264, MAG-26 where he served as the Ground Safety Officer. During this period he participated in two Combined Arms Exercises and one LF6F deployment with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Upon return from this deployment, Captain Conley was accepted into the College Degree Program where, in December of 2005, he completed his bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

After completing the CH-46E pilot refreshers course at MCAS Camp Pendleton, Captain Conley reported to HMM-261, MAG-26 in July of 2006. While with the squadron he served as the Flight Line Officer in Charge, Quality Assurance Officer and Aircraft Maintenance Officer. During this period, Captain Conley deployed with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit as part of LF6F 2-07. Upon return from deployment he assisted in the redesignation of HMM-261 to VMM-261and was designated an MV-22 pilot in October 2008. Captain Conley became the Assistant Operations Officer and then served as the Administration Officer during the squadron’s deployment to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom 10.1.

Major Conley transferred in July of 2010 to MAG-16 and then to VMM-561 to assist in the activation of the new tiltrotor squadron. During this time he served as the Aircraft Maintenance Officer and Operations Officer. In June of 2012 Major Conley assisted in the deactivation of VMM-561 and then transferred to VMM-363 to assist in the transition of the squadron from CH-53D’s to MV-22’s. He once again served as the Aircraft Maintenance Officer and then moved into the Executive Officer position in May of 2013. Major Conley completed his tour as the VMM-363 Executive Officer in May 2014 and then transferred to his current position as the MWSS-373 Executive Officer.

Major Conley’s aircraft designations and qualifications are Functional Check Pilot, Division Leader, Night Systems Instructor, Low Altitude Tactics Instructor, Aerial Refueling Instructor, Assistant NATOPS Instructor, and Instrument Evaluator. His personal decorations include the Air Medal with Strike/Flight Numeral 2 and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal.