LtCol Marianne Carlson
Aviation Vision and Strategy PlannerHeadquarters Marine Corps AviationLtCol Marianne “LOB” Carlson graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2009 and was designated a Naval Aviator in February 2012.
LtCol Carlson was assigned to HMLA-469 as a UH-1Y Pilot from 2012 to 2018. She deployed to Okinawa, Japan with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and supported Operation SAHAYOGI HAAT in Nepal in support of Humanitarian Assistance / Disaster Relief (HA/DR) operations. In 2015, she attended the Aviation Safety Officer and Crew Resource Management Instructor Course in Pensacola, Florida. In 2016, she deployed to Okinawa, Japan with the Unit Deployment Program and was designated a Night Systems Instructor. In February 2018, she graduated as a Distinguished Graduate from Tactical Air Control Party school and was designated as a Forward Air Controller (FAC).
LtCol Carlson reported to 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company (1st ANGLICO) in February 2018. She completed the ANGLICO Basic Course, Joint Firepower Control Course, Joint Air Operations Command and Control Course, Marine Advisor Course, and Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course. As Air Officer, she oversaw and coordinated all Joint Terminal Attack Controller, Joint Fires Observer, and small unmanned aerial system operator training within the unit in support of joint, coalition, and allied forces.
LtCol Carlson reported to Command and Staff College in Quantico, Virginia 2020. In 2021, she graduated as a Gray Scholar and Distinguished Graduate with a Masters in Military Studies. Her thesis was published in a Marine Corps University publication titled From Hegemony to Competition: Marine Perspectives on Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations.
In July 2021, LtCol Carlson reported to Marine Aircraft Group 29 and was assigned to HMLA-167. Upon completion of her tour as the Aircraft Maintenance Officer, she reported to the School of Advanced Warfighting (SAW). She graduated from SAW in June 2025 with a Masters in Operational Studies and thesis titled “Command without Signal: Revitalizing Mission Command in Marine Aviation”.
LtCol Carlson serves as an Operational Planner in the Cunningham Group at HQMC Aviation, where she helps shape Marine Aviation’s future vision and modernization strategy. She has over 2,000 flight hours. Her personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal Gold Star in Lieu of 2nd award, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal Gold Star in Lieu of 2nd award, and the Meritorious Service Medal.
Distributed Aviation Operations
This session will explore Distributed Aviation Operations (DAO), Marine Aviation’s critical concept for succeeding in contested maritime spaces. As th…This session will explore Distributed Aviation Operations (DAO), Marine Aviation’s critical concept for succeeding in contested maritime spaces. As the central aviation component of Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations, DAO enhances survivability a…This session will explore Distributed Aviation Operations (DAO), Marine Aviation’s critical concept for succeeding in contested maritime spaces. As the central aviation component of Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations, DAO enhances survivability and lethality by dispersing aircraft and support across multiple austere locations, complicating an adversary's targeting process while providing persistent support to the Stand-In Force. Join our expe…This session will explore Distributed Aviation Operations (DAO), Marine Aviation’s critical concept for succeeding in contested maritime spaces. As the central aviation component of Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations, DAO enhances survivability and lethality by dispersing aircraft and support across multiple austere locations, complicating an adversary's targeting process while providing persistent support to the Stand-In Force. Join our expert as they discuss how DAO provides the conceptual foundation for fighting and winning within anti-access/area-denial environments and enables seamless integration with the Naval and Joint Force. Show MoreClick the title to see all detailsShow More
