Russell A. Sanborn

Last updated
Russell Sanborn
Russell A. C. Sanborn.jpg
AllegianceFlag of the United States.svg  United States of America
Service/branch USMC logo.svg   United States Marine Corps
Years of service1986-2019
Rank Major General
Commands held 1st Marine Air Wing
United States Marine Forces Europe and Africa
Battles/wars Operation Desert Storm
Iraq War
Awards Legion of Merit
Bronze Star Medal
Prisoner of War Medal

Russell Sanborn is a retired U.S. Marine major general. Sanborn is a decorated pilot, veteran of the Gulf War and previously served as Commanding General of 1st Marine Air Wing and Commander, United States Marine Forces Europe and Africa. Sanborn was a prisoner of war during Operation Desert Storm.

Contents

Marine Corps career

Sanborn was commissioned in the United States Marine Corps as a second lieutenant thru the NROTC after graduation from University of Florida in 1986. He graduated from The Basic School at Marine Corps Base Quantico and was selected for further flight training at NAS Pensacola, Florida. He earned the Naval Aviator badge in 1988 and was subsequently trained to fly the AV-8B Harrier II. Upon completion of training, Sanborn received orders to VMA-231 at Iwakuni Marine Base in Japan and later deployed to Saudi Arabia in 1990 after the Invasion of Kuwait by Iraqi forces. During the Gulf War he was hit by anti-aircraft fire during a bombing raid and was shot down by Iraqi forces on February 9, 1991. He was taken in captivity and imprisoned in central Baghdad, where he was tortured by his captors until his release on March 6, 1991 after 26 days. [1] After 30 days of rehabilitation at Navy National Medical Center, he returned to full duty. [2]

In July 1992 he was assigned as an air liaison officer in the 1st Battalion, 8th Marines. In July 1993, he was stationed in the Marine Attack Squadron 542 (VMA-542) as a member of the new AV-8B Harrier II + aircraft reception team in the Marine Corps. [3] In 1994 he returned to the VMM-231. In 1996 he was assigned to the 26th MEU and sent to the Mediterranean area as an AV-8B Harrier II pilot. He participated in operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, operations to evacuate American citizens from Albania and in the operations to evacuate civilians from Zaire during First Congo War.

In June 1997, Sanborn was assigned to Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River as the Assistant Program Manager for the AV-8B. As a captain, Sanborn attended Marine Corps Command and Staff College and was later assigned in July 2001 as executive officer of the Marine Attack Squadron 542 (VMA-542). He deployed to Iraq during Operation Southern Watch and Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2003, he was reassigned as Operations Officer of the MAG-14. In June 2004 as a lieutenant colonel, Sanborn assumed duties as commanding officer of Marine Attack Squadron 542 (VMA-542) while stationed in Iraq and served in that position until summer 2006. After this command assignment Sanborn received assignment as a student, Industrial College of Armed Forces at Fort McNair, now known as Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy, where he earned a Master of Science degree in National Resource Strategy. He next served a staff assignment with the Joint Strike Fighter program in Washington D.C. As a colonel, he assumed duties as commanding officer of Marine Aircraft Group 14 from May 2009 to July 2011. He was selected for promotion to brigadier general in 2010. Sanborn then served briefly as Assistant Wing Commander for 2nd MAW (Forward) deploying to Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. He was next assigned a staff position as the Deputy Director J-3, U.S. European Command in Stuttgart, Germany (July 2011 to July 2013). He served at Headquarters Marine Corps before assuming duties as Commanding General of 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. Following this command assignment, he served as assistant commander of the front wing of the 2nd Wing, which was stationed in Afghanistan. In July 2001, he was appointed Deputy Chief of Staff of the United States European Command in Stuttgart, Germany. In his next position, he served as Head of the Marine Corps' Personnel Division. In July 2015, he was appointed Commanding General, 1st Marine Air Wing. In July 2017, he was appointed Commander, United States Marine Forces Europe and Africa and served in that position till his retirement in July 2019. [4]

During his service he accumulated over 2,400 flight hours on AV-8B Harrier II aircraft.

Awards and decorations

U.S. military decorations
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
US Defense Superior Service Medal ribbon.svg
Defense Superior Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Legion of Merit ribbon.svg Legion of Merit
Bronze Star ribbon.svg Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart ribbon.svg Purple Heart
1 golden star.svg
Meritorious Service ribbon.svg
Meritorious Service Medal with gold award star
Air Medal ribbon.svg Air Medal with Strike/Flight Award numeral 8 and Combat "V" Device
"V" device, gold.svg
1 golden star.svg
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal ribbon.svg
Navy Achievement Medal with gold award star
United States Navy Presidential Unit Citation ribbon.svg Presidential Unit Citation
Combat Action Ribbon.svg Combat Action Ribbon
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
U.S. Navy Unit Commendation ribbon.svg
Navy Unit Commendation with bronze service star
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation with three bronze service stars
Prisoner of War Medal ribbon.svg Prisoner of War Medal
U.S. Service (Campaign) Medals and Service and Training Ribbons
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg
National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Southwest Asia Service Medal ribbon (1991-2016).svg
Southwest Asia Service Medal with two bronze campaign stars
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Afghanistan Campaign Medal ribbon.svg
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with bronze service star
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Iraq Campaign Medal ribbon.svg
Iraq Campaign Medal with two bronze campaign stars
Global War on Terrorism Service ribbon.svg Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary ribbon.svg Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal ribbon.svg Armed Forces Service Medal
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Humanitarian Service ribbon.svg
Humanitarian Service Medal with bronze campaign stars
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.svg
Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with four bronze service stars
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon.svg
Overseas Service Ribbon with bronze service star
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
NATO Medal Yugoslavia ribbon bar.svg
NATO Medal for Yugoslavia with bronze service star
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) ribbon.svg Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) ribbon.svg Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
U.S. badges, patches and tabs
Naval Aviator Badge.jpg Naval Aviator Insignia
US Army Airborne basic parachutist badge.gif Parachutist Badge
USMC Rifle Expert badge.png Rifle Expert Badge
USMC Pistol Expert badge.png Pistol Expert Badgec

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References

  1. "Marine general uses POW time to teach Code of Conduct lessons". Stars and Stripes . Archived from the original on 2016-11-28. Retrieved 2020-11-11.
  2. Chin, Paula (1991-04-01). "Home After 26 Days in Iraqi Hands, Pilot Russell Sanborn Celebrates His Freedom-and Counts His Blessings". People . Archived from the original on 2018-04-11. Retrieved 2020-10-08.
  3. "Major General Russell A. Sanborn". marines.mil. Archived from the original on 2020-10-30. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  4. "outgoing commander of U.S. Marine Forces Europe and Africa". stripes. Archived from the original on 2020-10-30. Retrieved 11 September 2019.