Colonel Lynch is a native of Barnstable, MA. He graduated from Massachusetts Maritime Academy with a B.S. in Marine Engineering and was commissioned in June 2001. He was designated a Naval Aviator and completed training in the CH-53E in 2004.
Colonel Lynch has served in several helicopter squadrons through five combat deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom to include: HMH-461 while deployed to Djibouti, Africa from December 2004 to April 2005 and March to October 2006; Hurricane Katrina relief September 2005; HMM-365 (REIN), 24th MEU ACE while deployed to Afghanistan from March to October 2008; HMH-366 while deployed to Afghanistan from July to November 2014; VMM-264 (REIN), 22nd MEU ACE while deployed with the WASP ARG to the CENTCOM and EUCOM theaters. Colonel Lynch served at Marine Helicopter Squadron One from 2009 to 2013 culminating with his designation as a Marine One pilot. Colonel Lynch commanded HMH-461 from December 2019 to June 2021. Colonel Lynch has flown over 3,100 mishap-free flight hours in the CH-53E, VH-3D, and VH-60N helicopters.
Colonel Lynch’s staff billets include service as the Deputy Commander of Task Force 61/2, II Marine Expeditionary Force G-33 Current Operations Officer, II MEF Air Officer, and MAG-29 Current Readiness Officer.
Colonel Lynch’s joint billets include service as a Political Military Strategist and as the Iran Branch Chief in the Policy and Strategy Directorate of the Joint Staff (J5).
Colonel Lynch is a graduate of the MAWTS-1 Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course, Aviation Safety Officers Course, Marine Corps Command and Staff College, and the U.S. Army War College. He holds a Master of Strategic Studies.
Colonel Lynch’s personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal w/ three Gold Stars, Air Medal w/ Gold Star and Combat “V”, Air Medal w/ Flight Strike Numeral 5, Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Humanitarian Service Medal, and the Presidential Service Badge.