MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- Col. Erik K. Fippinger, the commanding officer of Marine Aircraft Group 11, relinquished command to Col. Kevin J. Killea during a change of command ceremony here July, 10.
Killea received a bachelor’s degree from St. John’s University, and was commission in 1988.
After completing Amphibious Warfare School in Quantico, Va., in 1996, Killea reported to Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C., to serve as a pilot training, aircraft maintenance and operations officer. During this time, Killea deployed to Aviano, Italy, in support of Operation Deny Flight and Deliberate Guard. He also deployed to Iwakuni, Japan, as part of the Unit Deployment Program.
Killea returned to Beaufort to serve as commanding officer of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 from November 2004 to June 2006.
Killea’s personal decorations include a Defense Superior Service Medal, a Meritorious Service Medal with gold star in lieu of second award and the Air Medal with strike/flight numeral 2.
Fippinger received a bachelor’s degree in oceanography and his commission from the United States Naval Academy in 1984.
After completion of Amphibious Warfare School, Fippinger attended the Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course, the Navy Fighter Weapons School and deployed to the Mediterranean in support of Operations Deliberate Force and Southern Watch as a pilot training officer and assistant operations officer with Carrier Air Group 1.
Fippinger deployed to Saudi Arabia for Operation Enduring Freedom after 9/11. He served as Marine liaison to the Air Force Joint Force Air Component Commander during campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq.
In 2005, he served on the Joint Staff in the J-8 Directorate, Studies, Analysis and Gaming Division at the Pentagon. Fippinger took command of MAG-11 on July 12, 2007.
His personal decorations include a Defense Meritorious Service Medal, a Meritorious Service Medal with a gold star in lieu of second award, an Air Medal with strike/flight numeral 1, a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two gold stars in lieu of second and third awards and a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with a gold star.