Colonel Ash is a native of both Houston, Texas and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and graduate from the United States Naval Academy in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Systems Engineering. From June 2003 to October 2005, he attended The Basic School in Quantico, VA, and flight training in Pensacola, FL, Corpus Christi, TX, and Kingsville, TX. He was designated a Naval Aviator at Naval Air Station Kingsville, Texas in August 2005. In September of 2005, he reported to VMAT-203 for initial training in the AV-8B.
Col Ash’s operational tours include service with VMA-231 where he served as the Current and Future Operations Officer and Airframes OIC. In November of 2009, Col Ash deployed with VMA-231 to Kandahar, Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. In February of 2011, Col Ash reported to 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment for duties as a Forward Air Controller / Battalion Air Officer. Col Ash deployed in July of 2011 to the Upper Sangin Valley / Kajaki, Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. In April of 2012, Col Ash returned to Marine Attack Squadron 231 and assumed the duties as the Quality Assurance Officer. In September of 2012, Col Ash deployed to Bastion, Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. After returning from the deployment in 2013, Col Ash attended and graduated from the MAWTS-1 Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course 1-14 and was subsequently assigned as the VMA-231 Operations Officer. Col Ash deployed as the Operations Officer in November of 2014 in support of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit/Westpac Unit Deployment Program operating in Iwakuni, Okinawa, the Philippines, and Hawaii.
Col Ash’s staff and supporting establishment tours include MAWTS-1 AV-8B Division Instructor, Assistant Operations Officer, and TACAIR Department Head; APW-22 AV-8B Requirements Officer at Headquarters Marine Corps Aviation; TACAIR Branch Head, Headquarters Marine Corps Aviation.
Col Ash commanded Marine Attack Squadron 223 (VMA-223). During his tenure in VMA-223, the squadron absorbed the fleet replacement squadron, grew to own 32 AV-8Bs and supported both GFM commitments and initial pilot production responsibilities.
Col Ash is a graduate of the WTI Course, Tactical Air Control Party Course (EWTGLANT), Expeditionary Warfare School (Non-Resident Seminar), Marine Corps Command and Staff (Non-Resident Seminar), and the National War College (Resident). He holds a M.A. in National Security Studies from the National War College.
Col Ash’s personal decorations include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (Fourth Award), Air Medal (Strike/Flight Numeral 7), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (Second Award), and the Combat Action Ribbon.