CDR Marshall H. Foard

Commander Foard is a native of Gloucester, Virginia.  He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science degree in English.  He was designated a Naval Aviator in December 2006 and reported to the “Gladiators” of VFA-106 for initial flight training in the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.
 
CDR Foard’s first operational assignment was with The “Royal Maces” of VFA-27 from 2007 to 2010, and it included multiple deployments aboard USS KITTY HAWK (CV-63) and USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN-73) throughout the Western Pacific Area of Operations.
 
Following this tour CDR Foard reported back to the “Gladiators” of VFA-106 as an instructor pilot and Landing Signals Officer.
 
Having been selected as a member of the Olmsted Scholarship Class of 2013, CDR Foard reported in 2012 to the Defense Language Institute in Arlington, Virginia, for initial German language instruction.  From 2013 to 2015 he pursued a course of study at the University of Leipzig, Germany, where he earned a Master of Arts in European Studies.
 
CDR Foard returned to the fleet in 2016, reporting to the “Sunliners” of VFA-81 for his department head tour.  During this tour he deployed aboard USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN-75) in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE and numerous exercises throughout the European Area of Operations.
 
In 2018 CDR Foard reported to Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO), Oeiras, Portugal, where he served as lead air planner for Exercises TRIDENT JUPITER 2019 and BALTOPS 2020.

He reported to Strike Fighter Squadron TWO ONE ONE (VFA-211) as the Executive Officer in July 2021.

Commander Foard has over 2,000 flight hours and 500 carrier arrested landings.  His personal awards and decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), and various campaign and service awards.