Major Christopher Stewart was born in Camarillo, California. In 2012, he graduated from The Ohio State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering, and commissioning as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. Upon completion of The Basic School, he reported to Flight School in Pensacola, FL and was designated a Naval Aviator in August 2015.
First Lieutenant Stewart reported to Marine Air Group (MAG) 26 for initial training in the MV-22B at Marine Medium Tiltrotor Training Squadron (VMMT) 204. In March 2016, he reported to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 363. In April 2016, he deployed to Al Jaber Air Base, Kuwait under Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force, Crisis Response, Central Command (SPMAGTF-CR-CC) 16.2 in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE (OIR). In 2017, Captain Stewart deployed again with VMM-363 as part of the SPMAGTF-CR-CC 17.2B, also in support of OIR. During these deployments, Captain Stewart supported theater-level Tactical recovery of Aircraft and Personnel (TRAP) and Joint Personnel Recovery (PR) alert standby, and various assault support missions into Iraq, Syria, Jordan, and other countries in the area of operations.
In 2018, Captain Stewart moved VMM-363 from MAG-16, Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar to MAG-24(-), MCAS Kaneohe Bay. In 2019, Captain Stewart deployed to Darwin Australia under Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D) 19.2, where he supported multiple international exercises and events and helped to further US-AUS relations as MRF-D continued to grow. In 2020, Captain Stewart attended Weapons and Tactics Instructor’s (WTI) Course 20.2, earning the competitive qualification. He deployed again in 2021 to MRF-D 21.2, and supported Balikatan from Subic Bay, Philippines in the spring of 2022.
In July 2022, Major Stewart reported to VMM-165 as the Aircraft Maintenance Officer. Upon Change of Operational Control to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Major Stewart assumed the role of Executive Officer of VMM-165(REIN). Following a successful WESTPAC 24.1 deployment where he supported exercises multiple international and bi-lateral exercises and real world Humanitarian Assistance Disaster Relief operations, Major Stewart returned to MCAS Miramar and currently serves as Executive Officer of VMM-165.
Over the past 12 years, Major Stewart has held billets in various operations, logistics, information technology, and maintenance departments. He has completed training across a range of fields including the Weapons and Tactics Instructor course and various tactical flight and staff planning courses. His personal decorations include the Air Medal with Numeral 1 and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Gold Star.