Colonel Russell C. Rybka
Assistant Vice Chief of Naval Research
Colonel Rybka graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in December 1996. He reported to The Basic School in January 1997, where he was assigned to Bravo Company 2-97. Following The Basic School, he was assigned to Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida and designated a Naval Aviator in August 1999. He then reported to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Training Squadron 303, Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, California for training in the AH-1W Cobra.
Colonel Rybka’s first assignment in the operating forces was Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 269, Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina from 2000 to 2005. During this period, he twice deployed with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 263 (Reinforced) as part of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (MEU(SOC)) Aviation Combat Element (ACE). While forward deployed, he participated in Operation DYNAMIC RESPONSE in Kosovo, Operation SOUTHERN WATCH in the Arabian Gulf, Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, and Operation IRAQI FREEDOM 2-1 and 3-1. Colonel Rybka graduated Weapons and Tactics Instructor course 1-04 at Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics School in Yuma, Arizona in October 2004.
Colonel Rybka returned to Quantico in July 2005 to attend Expeditionary Warfare School (EWS). Upon graduating EWS in May 2006, he attended Tactical Air Control Party School and was subsequently assigned to The Basic School (TBS) as the Air Officer. While assigned to TBS, Colonel Rybka also served as the Assistant Operations Officer, Command Section Head within the Warfighting Division, and Instructor Battalion Executive Officer. In July 2008, Colonel Rybka assumed duties as Commanding Officer, Basic Officers Course 6-08, Company F. Colonel Rybka completed Marine Corps Command and Staff College in April 2009.
Colonel Rybka returned to the operating forces and HMLA 269 in May 2009. He was assigned as the Officer in Charge of the H-1 detachment to Marine Medium Tilt-Rotor Squadron 162 as part of the 24th MEU(SOC) ACE. While forward deployed the H-1 detachment provided humanitarian assistance during Operation UNIFIED RESPONSE in Haiti and conducted autonomous, disaggregated operations in the U.S. CENTCOM Area of Operations. Upon returning to HMLA 269 in August 2010, Colonel Rybka assumed duties as the Aviation Maintenance Officer. In May 2011 Colonel Rybka assumed duties as the Executive Officer for the squadron’s deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
From March 2012 to June 2013, Colonel Rybka served as Commanding Officer, Headquarters Squadron, Marine Aircraft Group 29.
From July 2013 to March 2016 Colonel Rybka served as Headquarters Marine Corps Aviation Hallway Representative in Aviation Budget Requirements to the Director of Air Warfare, Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV N98). Colonel Rybka earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Naval Post Graduate School in March 2016.
From June 2016 to December 2017, Colonel Rybka served as Commanding Officer, HMLA 269. Under his command, the Gunrunners earned the Commander Marine Forces Command 2016 Achievement in Safety Award and the 2017 Chief of Naval Operations Safety Award.
From January 2018 until December 2018, Colonel Rybka served as the Executive Officer, Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force — Crisis Response Africa.
Colonel Rybka graduated NATO Defense College in Rome, Italy in July 2019. From August 2019 to June 2022, he served as U.S. EUCOM J-33, Chief of Operations Division. Colonel Rybka completed Joint and Combined Warfighting School at Joint Forces Staff College in September 2022.
From July 2022 to July 2024, Colonel Rybka served as Commanding Officer, Marine Aircraft Group 49.
Colonel Rybka assumed his current duties as Assistant Vice Chief of Naval Research in August 2024.
Colonel Rybka’s personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with two gold stars, Single Mission Air Medal with “V,” Strike/Flight Air Medal with Numeral 16, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two gold stars, and Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal.