Station Commanding Officer

Col. Kuckuk graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville with a BS in Industrial Education in 1986. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 1987 and designated a Naval Aviator in 1990.

Following AV-8B transition training, he reported to Marine Attack Squadron 214 at MCAS Yuma in January 1991. There he served as a Squadron Pilot, Schedule Writer, Airframes Officer, Logistics Officer, Quality Assurance Officer and Assistant Maintenance Officer. During this tour he deployed twice to the Western Pacific.

In 1995, Capt. Kuckuk reported to Marine Attack Training Squadron 203 for duty as a flight instructor. There he served as the Flight Officer, Pilot Training Officer and Operations Officer.

In 1998 Maj. Kuckuk was transferred to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, for duty with PMA-257 (the AV-8B Program Office) as the engine program manager.

In 2001, Maj. Kuckuk returned to Yuma. During this tour he served as the Operations Officer for VMA-214 and Detachment Officer in Charge to the 31st MEU in Iwakuni, Japan. Returning from Japan, he served as the Marine Aircraft Group 13 Operations Officer.

In 2005, Lt. Col. Kuckuk assumed the duties as Commanding Officer of Marine Attack Squadron 311, then deployed to Al Asad Air Base, Iraq. After completing a successful combat tour in May he returned with the squadron to Yuma, AZ.

In 2006, he attended the Naval War College, graduating with distinction while earning a Masters Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies.

He was promoted to Colonel in 2008 while assigned to a joint billet with the United States Transportation Command.

His personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with 2 gold stars, Air Medal with numeral 3, Defense Commendation Medal, Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal with 1 gold star. He is married to the former Jennifer Fischer of Madison, WI. They have three children: Emily, 21, Betsy, 19, and Sam, 14.