Biography
Commanding Officer, Marine Light Attack Helicopter Training Squadron 303
Lieutenant Colonel Jason R. Caster

Lieutenant Colonel Jason R. Caster grew up in Brookings, Oregon. A Western Oregon University graduate in December of 2005, he received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps in February 2006. After completion of The Basic School and Naval Flight Training, he reported to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Training Squadron (HMLAT) 303, Camp Pendleton, CA for UH-1Y Huey training.

Lieutenant Colonel Caster completed UH-1Y Huey training in 2009 and reported to
Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 369 “Gunfighters”. While at HMLA-369 he served as the Embarkation Officer, Flight Line Assistant Officer in Charge, and Flight Line Officer in Charge between 2009 and 2013. In April of 2013, Lieutenant Colonel Caster graduated from the Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron (MAWTS) 1 Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) Course and returned to HMLA-369 to serve as the UH-1Y Standardization Officer, Future Operations Officer, Assistant Operations Officer, and Assistant Aircraft Maintenance Officer. During his time at HMLA-369 he deployed three times to Camp Bastion, Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

In July of 2015, Lieutenant Colonel Caster reported to MAWTS-1 in Yuma, Arizona for duties as an UH-1Y Instructor Pilot until June 2018. While at MAWTS-1, Lieutenant Colonel Caster served as the UH-1Y Division Head and Academics Department Head.

In July of 2018, Lieutenant Colonel Caster reported to MAG-29 as the action officer/lead planner for Trident Juncture 2018. Lieutenant Colonel Caster deployed to Norway in support of Trident Juncture from October to November 2018. Then Lieutenant Colonel Caster checked into HMLA-167 in January 2019 and served as the Operations Officer and Executive Officer until June 2021. In August 2021, he joined the Over-the-Horizon Counter-Terrorism Headquarters in Doha, Qatar as an individual augment. During this tour he served as Director, J7/Regional Engagement supporting Operation FREEDOM SENTINEL and assisted in noncombatant evacuation operations from Kabul, Afghanistan. Lieutenant Colonel Caster promoted to his current rank in September 2021. Upon return from his overseas tour in February 2022, Lieutenant Colonel Caster served as the MAG-29 Transition Officer until January 2023.

Lieutenant Colonel Caster’s designations in the UH-1Y include WTI, Forward Air Controller (Airborne) Instructor, Tactical Air Coordinator (Airborne) Instructor, Defensive Air Combat Maneuvering Instructor, Flight Leadership Standardization Evaluator, and Air Mission Commander. He received the MCAA Alfred A. Cunningham Aviator of the Year award in 2015. His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star, Air Medal Strike/Flight Numeral 16, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Gold Star, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Gold Star as well as various unit and campaign awards.