Lieutenant Colonel Shane M. Mann completed Officer Candidate School, Platoon Leader’s Class Combined in August 2004 and graduated from West Chester University of Pennsylvania in December 2004. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in February 2005 and worked for the Officer Selection Office at Roanoke, VA supporting recruiting efforts until beginning The Basic School in June 2005. After graduating from The Basic School in December 2005, he reported to NAS Pensacola for training as a Naval Aviator with VT-2 at NAS Whiting Field, and then multi-engine training at VT-31, NAS Corpus Christi. Upon completing Naval Aviator training, First Lieutenant Mann was recognized on the Commodore’s List with Distinction and designated a Naval Aviator at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas in October 2007.
In April 2008, after completing the C-130J Maintenance and Aircrew Training System course at Little Rock Air Force Base, First Lieutenant Mann reported to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 (VMGR-252). During this tour, he graduated from Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape (SERE) School, upgraded to Aircraft Commander, and completed two combat deployments. One deployment was in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM and one deployment supported the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, executing flight operations in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, Operation UNIFIED PROTECTOR, and Operation ODYSSEY DAWN. His billet assignments during his first tour with VMGR-252 included Ground Safety Officer, Flight Duty Officer, Pilot Training Officer/Assistant Aircrew Training Officer, and Loadmaster OIC as well as detachment S-4 OIC and detachment Assistant Operations Officer.
In August 2011, Captain Mann reported to Expeditionary Warfare School at Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA where he completed resident career level professional military education.
In August 2012, Captain Mann was assigned to VMGR-252 for a second tour. Capt Mann completed the Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course in Yuma, AZ in the spring of 2013. In July 2013, Capt Mann deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, where he served as the detachment’s Weapons and Tactics Instructor, Aircraft Maintenance Officer, and Harvest Hercules Airborne Weapons Kit Aircraft Commander and Fire Control Officer. In June 2014, Capt Mann deployed in support of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Africa (SPMAGTF-CR-AF), where he served as the detachment Executive Officer and Weapons and Tactics Instructor. Upon returning from SPMAGTF-CR-AF, Capt Mann completed the Aviation Safety Officer Course in Pensacola, FL and subsequently served as the Marine Aircraft Group 14 ASO until transferring in July 2015.
In July 2015, Major Mann reported to the Marine Corps Command and Staff College resident course at Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA, where he completed intermediate level professional military education, earned a master’s degree in military studies, and was selected to be a distinguished graduate. In August 2016, Major Mann reported to Royal Air Force (RAF) No. 47 Squadron at RAF Brize Norton, United Kingdom as the Marine Corps’ first exchange officer to a RAF C-130J squadron. During this tour, Major Mann served as Flight Commander of Training and Standardization and as part of the squadron’s executive team. While with No. 47 Squadron, Major Mann deployed once in support of Operation KIPION, executing flight operations throughout the broader Middle East, and twice in support of Operation SHADER/Operation INHERENT RESOLVE. In August 2019, Major Mann reported to VMGR-252 for his Department Head tour, where he served as the Operations Officer until June 2021. He was promoted to his current rank in May 2021 and served in MAG-14 Special Projects while preparing to assume command of VMGR-252 in January 2022. LtCol Mann served as Commanding Officer of VMGR-252 from Jan 2022 to July 2023. Upon relinquishing command of VMGR-252, LtCol Mann assumed duties as Executive Officer of Marine Aircraft Group 14.
His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (with gold star), Air Medal with Strike/Flight numeral 16, the Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal (with gold star), and the Navy Achievement Medal.