C4ISR Luncheon featuring Col Steven Girard, USMC, PMA-276 H-1 Helicopters, NAVAIR

Col Steven Girard, USMC, received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aerospace Engineering from Syracuse University in May 1991 and was commissioned a 2nd Lt. Upon completion of The Basic School, he reported for flight training and was designated a Naval Aviator in December 1993.

Col Girard reported to Marine Helicopter Training Squadron 303 for initial training in the AH-1W. In November 1994, he was assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 369 where he deployed with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (MEU(SOC)) and then with the 13th MEU(SOC).

Col Girard attended the Amphibious Warfare School in August 1998. He then attended the United States Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS) and graduated in June 2000. At Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two One (HX-21) he conducted developmental flight test and evaluation programs on the AH-1W, UH-1N, and SH-60. Col Girard returned to the USNTPS in January 2001 and served as a Rotary Wing Instructor. He returned to HX-21 in January 2002 and served as the AH-1Z Platform Coordinator, conducting developmental test and evaluation on the AH-1Z and UH-1Y. He returned to the Fleet in November 2003 and completed two combat deployments in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM with HMLA-367 and HMLA-169.

Col Girard was assigned to PMA-276 in November 2006 where he held program management positions as the Warfighter Deputy Program Manager, H-1 Upgrades Production Deputy Program Manager and finally as the AH-1Z Platform Team Lead. In January 2011, he was assigned to the V-22 program as the Joint In-Service Deputy Program Manager where his responsibilities are the improvement of V-22 readiness and the reduction of V-22 cost per flight hour.

Col Girard is a graduate of the Weapons and Tactics Instructor course, non-resident Command and Staff Seminar course, the non-resident Air War College and he has earned a Masters Degree in Aviation Systems from the University of Tennessee. He is Level III qualified in his primary acquisition field of Program Management and Level III qualified in Test and Evaluation.