Biography

LtCol Nolan enlisted in the Marine Corps in October 2002 and attended recruit training aboard MCRD Parris Island in January 2003.  Upon completion, LtCol Nolan attended Marine Combat Training and Low Altitude Air Defense (LAAD) Training in El Paso, Texas before reporting into his first unit, 4th LAAD, in Marietta, Georgia. LtCol Nolan deployed with 4th LAAD Provisional Rifle Company from August 2004 to March 2005 in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM.  Upon return, LtCol Nolan re-designated as a ground supply clerk and finished his USMCR enlistment.
 
LtCol Nolan graduated from Kennesaw State University with a degree in Business Marketing in December 2008 and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps in December 2008 via the Platoon Leader's Course (PLC) program and subsequently attended The Basic School (TBS) from April 2009 to November 2009.
 
Following The Basic School, LtCol Nolan was assigned to HMM-774 to deploy in support of OPERATION CONTINUING PROMISE aboard the USS Iwo Jima where he served as the Aviation Life Support Systems (ALSS) OIC and Flight Deck Coordinator for the duration of the deployment from July 2010 to November 2010.  Following his tour with HMM-774, LtCol Nolan completed flight training at MATSG-21, VT-2, HT-8, and HMLAT-303 from November 2010 to December 2012, where he was designated an AH-1W pilot.
 
LtCol Nolan checked into HMLA-467 in January 2013 where he served in Operations and as the S-4 OIC for the final deployment and retrograde of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM.  LtCol Nolan served as an Attack Helicopter Commander (AHC) for the duration of the deployment.  Upon return in November 2014, he attached to VMM-264 (REIN) with the 22MEU where he served as the Pilot Training Officer from December 2015 to February 2017.  LtCol Nolan attended Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) Course 2-16 and deployed with the 22MEU in June 2016.  LtCol Nolan served as the PTO, WTI, and Flight Lead for the duration of the deployment for combat operations in support of OPERATION ODYSSEY LIGHTNING.
 
In May 2017, LtCol Nolan assumed the duties of the Rotary Wing Company Grade Monitor at Manpower Management Officer Assignments Two until June 2019.  During this period, LtCol Nolan oversaw the assignments and career progression of over 1,500 company grade assault support pilots.
 
In 2019, LtCol Nolan reported to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) and immediately converted to the AH-1Z, serving as an AH-1W and AH-1Z instructor pilot until the AH-1W was officially retired.  During his second year at MAWTS-1, LtCol Nolan served as the AH-1Z Cobra Division Head.  During his final year at MAWTS-1, LtCol Nolan served as the Assault Support Department Head, responsible for all aircrew and operations conducted by AH-1Z, UH-1Y, MV-22B, CH-53E, and KC-130J aircraft during the semi-annual Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course and fleet support periods.
 
In July 2022, LtCol Nolan joined the HMLA-169 Vipers as the Assistant Operations Officer supporting Service Level Training Exercise (SLTE) 1-23, WTI 1-23, and Steel Knight 23.  On 1 January 2023, LtCol Nolan assumed responsibility of Operations Officer and shifted focus to distributed operations in support of SLTE 2-23 and pre-deployment training for UDP 23.2 and 31MEU 23.2.  In April 2023, LtCol Nolan deployed with HMLA-169 as the Operations Officer ISO UDP 23.2 and assumed duties of Executive Officer upon return from UDP 23.2. In May 2024, LtCol Nolan checked into I MEF Expeditionary Operations Training Group to serve as the Operations Officer until May 2025.  In July 20205, LtCol Nolan checked into MATSG-21 to serve as the Executive Officer.