Lieutenant Colonel Jorge Couto is a native of Darien, Connecticut. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Lehigh University in 2007 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 2008 after completing Officer Candidates School in Quantico, Virginia. He was designated a Naval Aviator in August 2011.
After completing F/A-18 training at VFA-122, LtCol Couto reported to VMFA-115 “Silver Eagles” at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina. He served in various billets, including Schedules Officer, Flight Officer, Assistant Operations Officer, and Airframes/ALSS Division Officer, and deployed to both Isa Air Base, Bahrain, and MCAS Iwakuni, Japan. He also completed the Marine Division Tactics Course during this tour.
In 2016, LtCol Couto served as a Forward Air Controller and Battalion Air Officer with 2d Battalion, 8th Marines, deploying with SPMAGTF–Crisis Response–Africa to Spain and forward to Djibouti in support of OPERATION OAKEN STEEL and other missions in the Horn of Africa.
LtCol Couto transitioned to the F-35 in 2017 with VMFAT-501 “Warlords,” where he served as an Instructor Pilot and held billets including ALIMS Officer-in-Charge, S-1 Officer, S-4 Officer, Airframes Division Officer, and Student Training Officer. He earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of North Carolina during this assignment.
In 2021, LtCol Couto joined VMFA-242 “Bats” at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, serving as both Operations Officer and Maintenance Officer during the squadron’s transition to Full Operational Capability. He later served as the VMFA Detachment Officer-in-Charge aboard USS AMERICA during the 31st MEU Summer Patrol 23.2. Upon return, he assumed duties as the Personnel Support Detachment (PSD) Commanding Officer for Marine Aircraft Group 12.
In August 2024, LtCol Couto reported to Marine Aircraft Group 14 as the PSD Commanding Officer while preparing to assume command of VMFA-542 “Tigers” aboard MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina.
LtCol Couto has accumulated over 2,000 mishap-free flight hours. His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various unit and campaign awards.