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Executive Officer, Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 502
Lieutenant Colonel John J. Koepke

Lieutenant Colonel Koepke graduated from the University of Illinois in May 2006 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Program.  Upon completion of The Basic School, Second Lieutenant Koepke reported to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola where he conducted Naval Flight Officer (NFO) Training.  In March 2009, First Lieutenant Koepke was designated a NFO and proceeded to NAS Whidbey Island to complete EA-6B Electronic Countermeasures Officer (ECMO) training with Electronic Attack Squadron 129.

In July 2010, Captain Koepke was assigned to Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 3 aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point.  From July 2010 to July 2013, Captain Koepke deployed twice in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and was designated a Weapons and Tactics Instructor.  Captain Koepke served in a variety of billets within the Operations Department to include dual-hatting as the unit’s Pilot and ECMO Training Officer. 

In July 2013, Captain Koepke was selected to complete a NFO to Pilot transition and reported to Marine Aviation Training Support Group 22.  From July 2013 to February 2015, Captain Koepke completed both primary and advanced jet training and was designated a Naval Aviator.

Captain Koepke then reported to Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 101 for F/A-18 pilot training and upon completion was assigned to Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 225 in December 2015. Major Koepke deployed twice in support of the Unit Deployment Program and was designated a Division Lead, Night Systems Instructor, Low Altitude Tactics Instructor, and Forward Air Controller (Airborne).  Major Koepke served in several billets within the squadron to include unit’s Administrative Officer, Quality Assurance Officer, Assistant Operations Officer, and Aviation Maintenance Officer.   

In September 2019, Major Koepke was assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 101 to serve as the Air-to-Ground Phase Head and as a F/A-18 Instructor Pilot.  Major Koepke remained in that capacity until being selected for the F-35B conversion in September 2020.  Upon completing F-35B pilot training with Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 502, Major Koepke remained on staff and served as the squadron’s Instructor Training Officer, Mission Planning Officer, and Aviation Logistics Information Management System Division Officer until November 2021.

Lieutenant Colonel Koepke currently serves as the Executive Officer of Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 502.  Lieutenant Colonel Koepke’s personal decorations include the Air Medal-Strike/Flight (5th Award) and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2nd Award).