during the gulf war he served as the executive officer, marine aircraft group 16 operating out of al jubayl, saudi arabia, and later up north near kuwait. after the war he returned to the 3rd marine aircraft wing and assumed command of marine light attack helicopter squadron 267 and later served as the marine aircraft group 39 executive officer. in august 1993 he attended the naval war college and was promoted to colonel in october of that same year. in july 1994 he returned to marine aircraft group 39 serving first as executive officer and then as commanding officer. in august 1997 he was transferred to the office of the secretary of defense serving as the senior military assistant to the under secretary of defense for policy and, after promotion to brigadier general, to the joint staff as the deputy director for operations, national military command center. in july 1999 he was assigned as the commanding general, joint task force panama, where he oversaw force protection during the drawdown of forces and transfer of property and equipment to the government of panama. in december 1999 he transferred to marine forces south, miami, florida.