An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Photo Information

Lt. Col. Joshua Riggs, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 commanding officer, relieves Lt. Col. Simon Doran during a change and command ceremony, May 3. Doran will continue his career as a post-graduate student at the Air Warfare College.

Photo by Cpl. Eric Warner

Once a T’Bolt, always a T’Bolt

9 May 2013 | Cpl. Rubin J. Tan Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort

Lt. Col. Simon Doran, a husband, father, aviator, Marine and former commanding officer, relinquished command of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251, May 3.

Doran was relieved by Lt. Col. Joshua Riggs and will attend the Air War College in Alabama for further professional military education.

Doran became the commanding officer in July 2011. Since then, the squadron has been deployed aboard aircraft carrier USS Enterprise twice.

"In the 22 months I have been in command, we have flown more than 7,000 hours and 2,600 hours of that has been in support of combat operations in Afghanistan," said Doran, a native of Liverpool, England. "That was possible because of the combat readiness provided by the Marines in this squadron."

Doran’s histor y with the Thunderbolts began May 1998 as the squadron’s powerline division officer in charge and pilot training officer.

In October 2001, Operation Enduring Freedom began and at the time, Capt. Doran, was aboard aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) with VMFA-251. During this time, he was one of the first pilots to drop ordnance into Afghanistan.

"I am humbled to have the honor and privilege to lead the Thunderbolts and for that, thank you," said Doran.