Mike O'Brien Email & Phone Number

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States

First time political candidate while running for U.S. Congress in PA-10 (Dauphin, Cumberland, York counties). Launched campaign 5 days after military retirement and weeks after relocating to live in home state of PA for the first time in 24 years. Led a field of 6 primary candidates in fundraising with over $800k raised in seven-plus months. Finished 2nd of 6 in Democratic primary with 23.3% and 14,051 total votes. Garnered widest coalition of endorsements in the race consisting of current and former elected officials; labor unions - to include Teamsters, Ironworkers, Rail Workers; and national service-based organizations such as Vote Vets, New Politics, Serve America.

San Diego, California, United States

Commanding Officer of the only U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) F-35C squadron – the longest range and most advanced tactical weapons system in the USMC. Set the vision and grew unit culture while responsible for the safety, development, and tactical employment of 220+ Marines and 13 aircraft totaling over $1.5B. Prioritized relationship-building with allies and partners as a key component of the newly founded AUKUS mutual defense coalition.

San Diego, California, United States

Served as the lead aviator on a team comprised of senior infantry, logistics, and communications Marines tasked with reshaping the Marine Corps’ preparation for, and response to, hostile action by the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Created a groundbreaking concept of operations for use by the USMC and Joint/Coalition Task Force centered upon a nodal logistics, communications, and warfighting structure spanning Southeast Asia and the South Pacific Islands. During the withdrawal of U.S. Armed Forces from Afghanistan, worked with the DoD, DoS, USCIS, and USMC Infantry forces at Hamid Karzai International Airport to secure the rescue of a family of eight Afghan refugees, including three minors

The Pentagon, Washington, Dc, United States

Synchronized the distribution, utilization, sustainment, and employment of all 106+ USMC F-35 aircraft totaling over $12B in aviation assets to align with priorities outlined in the National Defense Strategy. Informed, influenced, and helped manage and justify a 5-year USMC F-35 budget portfolio of over $23B. Served as the lead F-35 action officer during the Commandant of the Marine Corps' directed reorganization of the Marine Corps in order to focus on the pacing threat in 2030 - the PRC. Led the USMC F-35 Transition Task Force while aligning efforts between multiple services within the U.S. military; militaries of partner nations such as Israel, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and the United Kingdom; US government organizations; the defense industry; and the F-35 supporting establishment.

Iwakuni, Japan

Executed duties as second in command of the only forward-deployed F-35 squadron. Provided vision for, synchronized, and managed 350 Marines and 16 F-35 aircraft amounting to over $2.4B in aviation assets. Squadron was awarded 2018 Commandant's Aviation Trophy for outstanding performance of a Marine Aviation unit.

Iwakuni, Japan

As the lead USMC planner responsible for 16 F-35s, 24 F/A-18s, and 15 KC-130Js, successfully integrated the world's newest and most capable fighter aircraft, the F-35, into existing operational plans pertaining to the tactical employment of over $4B in USMC aircraft in the Indo-Pacific region. On multiple occasions, in direct response to 2017 North Korean missile launches and nuclear weapons testing, served as the lead planner for the USMC response while coordinating F-35 and KC-130J involvement in overt multilateral retaliatory flights and ordnance demonstrations along the North Korean border in conjunction with South Korean and Japanese military aircraft. On behalf of the U.S. Air Force, personally reorganized, updated, and revised the overarching document governing both U.S. and South Korean military aviation-related actions and conduct to improve coordination during wartime operations as well as joint training exercises.

Yuma, Arizona, United States And Iwakuni, Japan

Coordinated support for, and led the execution of, the first-ever Trans-Pacific F-35 flights during the relocation of the first forward-deployed F-35 squadron and delivery of the first 10 F-35s to the Asia-Pacific region in order to prepare for contingency operations in response to local instability. Negotiated with members of the Japanese and South Korean Ministries of Defense and Federal Governments. Led multiagency / multiservice working groups regarding local operational infrastructure improvements.

Yuma, Arizona, United States

Directly after declaration of F-35 Initial Operational Capability, developed and supervised the training management plan for over 25 pilots as the lead instructor for the first operational F-35 squadron in history. Created, executed, and instructed the training plan leading to the successful graduation, by three pilots, from the inaugural F-35 USMC Weapons and Tactics Instructor course.

Yuma, Arizona, United States

Created and implemented the first F-35 organizational risk management plan, recognized by the Commanding General as the model Aviation and Ground Safety plan and program on the West Coast. Synchronized actions across all F-35 squadrons by restructuring and refocusing the USMC Standard Operating Procedures for global F-35 Flight Operations.

Fort Walton Beach, Florida, United States

San Diego, California, United States

San Diego, California, United States

San Diego, California, United States

San Diego, California, United States

Quantico, Va; Pensacola, Fl; Corpus Christi, Tx; Kingsville, Tx; San Diego, Ca

Cambridge, Ma And Quantico, Va

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Systems Engineering

Master Of Science - Ms, Mechanical Engineering

Seminar Xxi, Foreign Policy / International Relations

Education record