Lieutenant Colonel Dan "RECO" Chiriboga was born in Marietta, GA. He attended Officer Candidate School in 2007, graduated from the University of San Diego in May 2008, and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. Upon completion of The Basic School, he reported to Marine Aviation Training Support Group (MATSG) 21 in Pensacola, FL for flight training, and was designated a Naval Aviator in June 2011. He completed initial training in the UH-1Y at Marine Light Attack Helicopter Training Squadron (HMLAT) 303 in April 2012.
First Lieutenant Chiriboga reported to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 167 “Warriors” in May 2012. In 2013, Captain Chiriboga deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He participated in combat operations in support US, UK, Danish, Estonian, and Afghan forces. In 2015, Captain Chiriboga completed the Weapons and Tactics Instructor course and subsequently deployed to Okinawa, Japan as part of the III MEF Unit Deployment Program 16.1 rotation during which period he participated in theater security cooperation exercises, to include Exercise COBRA GOLD 16, and contingency planning in support of the US Indopacific Command (USINDOPACOM) Combatant Commander.
While in Okinawa, Captain Chiriboga was selected to serve at Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1), responsible for the heliborne transport of the President, Vice President, and foreign heads of states aboard Marine One and Marine Two. He served there from July 2016 to July 2020, attaining the qualifications of White House Helicopter Aircraft Commander and Presidential Command Pilot and serving as an Associate White House Liaison Officer. He flew the President and Vice President a combined total of more than 50 times.
In July 2020, Major Chiriboga reported to the Command and Staff College at Marine Corps University. He graduated in June 2021 and earned his Masters of Military Studies.
Major Chiriboga reported to HMLA-267 “Stingers” in July 2021, taking over as Operations Officer in February 2022. While at the Stingers, he earned his Master of Business Administration from Pennsylvania State University in August 2022. In November 2022, he reported to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 Reinforced (VMM-262 REIN) where he served as the H-1 Detachment Officer-in-Charge and Aviation Combat Element Director of Safety and Standardization for the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit during the 23.1 Patrol.
Upon his return from deployment, Major Chiriboga reported to HMLA-367 "Scarface" in May 2023, where he served as the Executive Officer. Lieutenant Colonel Chiriboga deployed to the Philippines in April and May 2024 in support of Exercise BALIKATAN 24.
In June 2024, Lieutenant Colonel Chiriboga reported to 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB) in Okinawa, Japan where he served as the Air Officer. While at the MEB, he again deployed to the Philippines, serving as the senior III Marine Expeditionary Force Liaison Officer during USINDOPACOM's Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief efforts in response to Super Typhoon Krathon.
Lieutenant Colonel Chiriboga has accumulated over 2600 flight hours, primarily in the UH-1Y, VH-3D, and VH-60N aircraft. His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with Strike/Flight Numeral 5, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with three gold stars, and the Presidential Service Badge.