Major John R. Albertini is a native of LaGrange, Illinois. Major Albertini Earned his commission through the Platoon Leaders Course. Upon graduating from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2016 with a B.A. in Political Science, he received his commission . He reported to The Basic School (TBS) in September of 2016 where he earned a Competitive Air Contract.
Following TBS graduation, 2ndLt Albertini reported to MATSG-21 aboard NAS Pensacola for Introductory Flight Screening and Advanced Pre-flight indoctrination. After completing Primary Flight Training at Whiting Field, 2ndLt Albertini was selected for the MV-22B pipeline. He subsequently completed intermediate training at HT-18 prior to reporting to VT-35, being designated a Naval Aviator on 19 July 2019. He reported to VMMT-204 and earned his designation as a Tiltrotor Second Pilot.
Following his completion of Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) training in San Diego, CA, he reported to the “Greyhawks” of VMM-161 in February of 2020. From February of 2020 to June of 2021 he served as the Ground Safety Officer, promoting to Captain in September of 2020. After assuming the duties of NATOPS Officer in June of 2021, the “Greyhawks” were assigned to stand up the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa in Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Capt Albertini deployed with the squadron from October of 2021-April of 2022. Following his deployment, Capt Albertini was assigned to the operations department, serving as a Current Operations Officer. During his time in operations, Capt Albertini also served as the action officer for a Deployment for Training to Anchorage, Alaska. His final billet at VMM-161 was serving as the Airframes and Flight Equipment Division Officer where he led the divisions through a MALS Maintenance inspection.
Capt Albertini reported to VMMT-204 in April of 2024 and assumed the duties of Assistant NATOPS Evaluator (ANE) and MV-22B Crew Resource Management Program Manager. During his time as the ANE Capt Albertini participated in the tri-service NATOPS conference and conducted NATOPS Unit Evaluations at every Marine Aircraft Group in the Fleet Marine Force. Major Albertini was promoted to his current rank in September of 2025. In October of 2025 Major Albertini assumed the duties of Enlisted Aircrew Division Officer prior to assignment as the Executive Officer of VMMT-204 in April of 2026.
Major Albertini has logged 1,100 mishap-free flight hours. His military education includes The Basic School, Naval Flight Training, MV-22 Flight Training, Ground Safety Officer Course, Aviation Safety Officer Course, Crew Resource Management Instructor Course, and Expeditionary Warfare School Distance Education Program with Distinction. His personal decorations include the Air Medal-Strike/Flight with bronze numeral “1,” and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.