Lieutenant Colonel Ryan E. Shadle graduated from the United States Naval Academy and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in May 1998. Following completion of The Basic School in December 1998, he reported to NAS Pensacola for flight training. First Lieutenant Shadle was designated a Naval Aviator at NAS Whiting Field, FL in December 2000. He then completed SERE school in San Diego, CA before checking in to HMM(T)-164 for initial training in the CH-46E at Camp Pendleton, CA.
In June 2001, First Lieutenant Shadle reported to Marine Aircraft Group 29 at MCAS New River, NC and was assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 263 where he worked in the operations department as a schedule writer. HMM-263(REIN) deployed as part of the 24th MEU from August 2002 to May 2003 and conducted exercises and operations in Kosovo, Djibouti, Kenya, and the United Arab Emirates before participating in combat operations in Iraq during OIF 1. Upon returning, Captain Shadle assumed the billet of Quality Assurance Officer. He deployed a second time with HMM-263(REIN) and the 24th MEU from June 2004 to February 2005 in support of OIF 2 in Al Taqaddam, Iraq.
In March 2005, Captain Shadle attended WTI 2-05 in Yuma, AZ. After designation as a Weapons and Tactics Instructor, he joined Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 365 as Future Operations/ Plans and Tactics Officer. From June to November 2006, HMM-365(REIN) deployed with the 24th MEU, conducting exercises and operations in Jordan, Djibouti, Pakistan, and Kuwait. The deployment was highlighted by the noncombatant evacuation of Beirut, Lebanon in July.
In February 2007, Captain Shadle reported to MAWTS-1 in Yuma, AZ where he served as CH-46E weapons and tactics instructor, evolution coordinator for the Assault Support Tactics 3 event, and subject matter expert on ground threat reaction and noncombatant evacuation operations.
In September 2009, Major Shadle reported to Marine Aircraft Group 16 in Miramar, CA and was assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 163 where he held billets as Future Operations Officer and Operations Officer. HMM-163(REIN) deployed with the 13th MEU from February to September 2011 and participated in exercises and operations in Oman, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait, and Djibouti.
In December 2011, Major Shadle joined Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1) in Quantico, VA and held billets as Quality Assurance Officer, Flight Officer, and Operations Officer while flying the CH-46E, VH-3D, and VH-60N. In June of 2014, he was designated as one of five Marine One pilots and acted in that capacity until December of 2015, flying the President of the United States on more than 50 occasions.
Lieutenant Colonel Shadle’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star, Air Medal with numeral 8, and the Presidential Service Badge.