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Command Biography

MAG-31 Executive Officer
Lieutenant Colonel John J. Schranz

LtCol Schranz is a native of Florida.  After attending Florida State University and Belmont University in Nashville, TN he graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Music Business and Production.  LtCol Schranz attended Officer Candidate School in October 2005, commissioning in December 2005.

After graduating The Basic School LtCol Schranz reported to Naval Air Station Pensacola for flight training in July 2006, reporting to VT-3 in February 2007.  In July 2007 he reported to VT-21 in Kingsville, Texas for advanced flight training in the T-45.  LtCol Schranz earned his wings in June of 2009 and was ordered to MCAS Miramar and VMFAT-101 for training in the F/A-18.  Upon completion at the fleet replacement squadron, he reported to Marine Aircraft Group 31 (MAG-31), Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224 [VMFA(AW)-224] in February 2011.  During his first tour with the Bengals, he completed his Section Lead, Division Lead, Post Maintenance Check Flight (PMCF), and certified as a Marine Division Tactics Instructor (MDTI).  LtCol Schranz completed two deployments to Iwakuni, Japan as part of the Unit Deployment Program (UDP).

In July of 2014, LtCol Schranz reported to Marine Corps Base Quantico for Expeditionary Warfare School.  Upon completion of he immediately returned to MAG-31, VMFA(AW)-224 and deployed again in 2015 for UDP.  During this tour LtCol Schranz completed Weapon and Tactics Instructor Course 2-16 being certified as a Weapon and Tactics Instructor (WTI), Forward Air Controller (Airborne) Instructor, Tactical Air Coordinator (Airborne) Instructor, Low Altitude Tactics Instructor (Standardization Evaluator), and Night System Instructor.  LtCol Schranz then returned to serve as the Director of Safety and Standardization, Assistant Operations Officer, and Pilot Training Officer during the squadron's workup and deployment to Sheikh Isa Air Base, Bahrain in 2017 supporting Operation INHERENT RESOLVE and Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force (Crisis Response).

In July 2018 LtCol Schranz reported to Marine Aviation Training Support Site (MATSS) Beaufort as the Standardization Officer.  Earning certification as a Crew Resource Management Instructor and NATOPS Instructor/Evaluator.  In February 2019 he left MATSS to report to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312(VMFA-312) as the Aircraft Maintenance Officer.  Post his successful tour at VMFA-312 he was assigned to The Cowboys of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 112 (VMFA-112), Marine Aircraft Group 41 to serve as the Operations Officer in the only USMC Reserve F/A-18 squadron.  During this tour LtCol Schranz prepared the squadron to mobilize, train, and subsequently deploy to Iwakuni, Japan as part of the Unit Deployment Program.  Upon return from deployment LtCol Schranz reported back to Marine Aircraft Group 31 to assume command of VMFA(AW)-224 Fighting Bengals.

He led the Bengals from August 2022 to January 2024 through detachments and deployments around the world supporting training, joint and combined service exercises, and partner and NATO ally training.  Upon his change of command, LtCol Schranz served as the MATSS Beaufort Officer-in-Charge and MAG-31 WTI before reporting for duty as the MAG-31 Executive Officer.

LtCol Schranz has over 2,600 hours of flight experience in military aircraft.  LtCol Schranz's personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, five Strike/Flight Air Medals, three Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

2nd Marine Aircraft Wing