Col. John Neville, is the program manager for the Navy and Marine Corps Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program Office (PMA-263), headquartered in Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland.

Neville, a native of Pompano Beach, Florida, graduated from the University of Florida in 1991 with a Bachelor’s degree in architecture and graduate study in architectural acoustics. He is also a graduate of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS), Class 127.

Commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps in 1993 at Quantico, he started his career as a platoon commander with Third Battalion, First Marines (3/1), specializing in heliborne operations, and deployed with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Special Operations Capable (SOC) for Operation United Shield and the United Nations in Somalia II withdrawal of forces. Subsequent infantry assignments included Combined Anti-Armor Team platoon commander and executive officer for Weapons Company, 3/1, during which he was selected for naval aviation training through the Aviator Fleet Accession Program.

Upon completion of flight training, he served as an AH-1W SuperCobra pilot with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HML/A) 169 from 1996-2002. He deployed as part of the 31st MEU(SOC) participating in Operation Restore Hope followed by subsequent deployments to Okinawa and Guam. From 2002-2004, he served as an AH-1W flight instructor and Aircraft Maintenance Officer with HMLA/T-303, during which he was selected for test pilot training at USNTPS.

Graduating from USNTPS in June 2005, Neville was assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (HX) 21 as a test pilot for the H-1 Upgrades Program, then later served as the operations officer and executive officer from 2006-2009. During this tour, he was selected for Marine Corps Acquisition Professional Military Occupational Specialty.

His acquisition tours include: deputy program manager for RQ-21A Blackjack at Navy and Marine Corps Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program Office (PMA-263); chief test pilot and commanding officer of HX-21; H-1 Air Vehicle lead for PMA-276; and CH-53K deputy program manager for PMA-261.

Neville has accrued over 2,500 operational and test flight hours in 25 different type/model/series fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. His personal decorations include Meritorious Service Medals, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, and various campaign and service awards.