Colonel Derrick R. Heyl Colonel Heyl received his commission in December 1991 through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps at the University of Kansas, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. After completing The Basic School, he reported for flight training, was promoted to First Lieutenant, and designated a Naval Aviator in February 1994 at Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Florida. From March 1994 until June 1999, First Lieutenant Heyl served with HMLA-169, HMT-303, and HMLA-267 at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, California, where he flew the AH-1W. His assignments included Ground Safety Officer, Legal Officer, Airframes Division Officer, AH-1W Flight Officer, Assistant Operations Officer, and Logistics Officer. During this time, he was promoted to Captain and deployed overseas three times. From July 1999 to July 2002, Captain Heyl served with Marine Aviation Training Support Group Pensacola, where he was assigned to VT-6 at Naval Air Station Whiting Field. He instructed in the T-34C and served as Ground Safety Officer, Flight Scheduler, Flight Leader, Senior Watch Officer, and Current Operations Officer. He was promoted to Major during this assignment. In August 2002, Major Heyl accepted a commission in the Active Reserve and reported to Marine Aircraft Group 42, Detachment C at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans. His assignments included Director of Safety and Standardization, Operations Officer, and Executive Officer. He also served as Assistant Maintenance Officer and Operations Officer of HMLA-773 (-) during unit activation in support of Combined Joint Task Force 76 in Afghanistan, multiple Mojave Viper exercises aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center 29 Palms, and in support of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Katrina in New Orleans. In August 2006, Major Heyl reported to Headquarters 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, where he served as Aviation Safety Officer and Director of Safety and Standardization. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel during this assignment. In January 2010, Lieutenant Colonel Heyl reported to Headquarters Marine Forces Reserve for assignment as the G-3/5 Operations and Plans Officer. In June 2011, he reported to VMR Andrews for assignment as Commanding Officer.
In July 2013, he reported to Marine Forces Reserve for assignment as the G-3/5 Training and Readiness Officer. He was promoted to Colonel during this assignment and in June 2014 was reassigned as the G-3/5 Operations and Plans Officer. In December 2014, he reported to Headquarters 4th Marine Aircraft Wing for his most recent assignment as the Assistant Chief of Staff G-3. Colonel Heyl’s education includes a Master of Business Administration from Touro University International, Air War College Distance Learning Program, Marine Corps Command and Staff College Distance Education Program, National Defense University Reserve Components National Security Course, Aviation Safety Officer Course, Crew Resource Management Instructor Course, Military Justice Legal Officer Course, and Ground Safety Officer Course. His personal decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal (2nd Award), Air Medal (2nd Award) and Strike/Flight Air Medal with numeral 4, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2nd Award), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and Combat Action Ribbon. Colonel Heyl has flown over 4900 hours in military aircraft.
Colonel Steven G. Godinho Colonel Godinho was born on March 3, 1969 in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and was raised in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Following graduation from the United States Naval Academy in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science degree in General Engineering, he received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps and reported as a student to The Basic School. After completion of TBS, Second Lieutenant Godinho report to Pensacola, FL for training as a Student Naval Aviator. He completed flight training and was designated a Naval Aviator in July 1994. After receiving his wings, First Lieutenant Godinho reported to HMT-303 aboard MCAS Camp Pendleton, California, for initial training in the AH-1W. First Lieutenant Godinho was assigned to the Gunfighters of HMLA-369 in April 1995 and he deployed as part of the Unit Deployment Program to MCAS Futenma, Okinawa, Japan in 1995. th In 1998, he deployed with HMM-163 (REIN) as part of the 15 Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard the USS Essex, participating in Operation Southern Watch. Upon return to CONUS, Captain Godinho attended Tactical Air Control Party School and served nd th as a Forward Air Controller and Air Officer in 2 Battalion, 7 Marines in Twentynine Palms, California, where he participated in multiple Combined Arms Exercises and Operation Urban Warrior. Captain Godinho entered the Individual Ready Reserve in August 2000 and worked as an airline pilot for Atlantic Coast Airlines. He joined the Selected Marine Corps Reserve in December 2000 with the Coyotes of HMLA-775, Detachment A at Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. Captain Godinho remained with the Coyotes after their move to Johnstown, Pennsylvania in April 2001. In November 2003, Major Godinho joined VMR Detachment Andrews AFB, Maryland where he served as a UC-12B and UC-35D transport pilot. Major Godinho returned to HMLA-775 for mobilization and deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 04-06 in January 2005 at Al Taqqadum Air Base, Iraq. Major Godinho reported to HMLA-775, Camp Pendleton, California in August 2006 where he joined the Active Reserve Program. While at Camp Pendleton he served as the Director of Safety and as the Executive Officer of both MAG-46 Detachment A and HMLA-775. He
participated in numerous Mojave Viper Exercises at Twentynine Palms and he remained with the squadron until its deactivation in September of 2008. In October 2008, Lieutenant Colonel Godinho reported to MAG-49 Detachment A at Naval Air Station Atlanta, Georgia. He served as the Executive Officer of the Detachment and participated in the planning for the BRAC move of the Detachment and Squadron from Atlanta to Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, Georgia in June 2010. Upon completion of the move, he assumed the duties as Executive Officer of HMLA-773. In August 2012, Lt. Col. Godinho assumed command of VMR Belle Chasse. In June of 2014, Lt. Col. Godinho assumed command of Headquarters Battalion, Marine Forces Reserve. He was promoted to Colonel in September of 2014. Colonel Godinho’s decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (2nd award), Strike/Flight Air Medal with numeral 7 and Navy Achievement Medal (3rd award). He is a graduate of the Marine Corps Command and Staff and Amphibious Warfare School nonresident programs. He has accumulated over 4300 flight hours in military aircraft.