Elizabeth Pham

Originally from Seattle, Washington, Colonel Elizabeth Pham was born on January 13, 1978. She graduated with honors from the University of San Diego, earning a B.A. in History with a minor in Biochemistry. Commissioned via NROTC in 2000, she completed The Basic School before beginning flight training at NAS Pensacola and NAS Meridian. She earned her “wings of gold” in September 2003 and trained as an F/A-18 pilot at VMFAT-101, earning the “Top Hook” award.

Assigned to VMFA(AW)-242, she deployed to Al Asad, Iraq, flying over 130 combat missions and 450 hours in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF) 05-07 while serving as Adjutant and Intelligence Officer. In 2008, she returned to Iraq as an Individual Augment with 3D MAW (Forward), orchestrating over 180 Air Tasking Orders that enabled 4,800 air combat missions across Al Anbar Province. She also flew combat sorties with VMFA(AW)-225 and VMFA-115, totaling 155 combat missions and 1,000 mishap-free flight hours in the Hornet.

Following her combat tours, she served at Headquarters Marine Corps in the Capabilities Processing Branch, accelerating delivery of warfighting capabilities in support of OIF/OEF. From 2011–2014, she was stationed at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, where she held multiple leadership billets including Training Officer, Operations Officer, and Inspector General. She logged 600 flight hours in the UC-12W supporting regional exercises such as BALIKATAN, COBRA GOLD, and ULCHI FREEDOM GUARDIAN, as well as HA/DR missions including OPERATION DAMAYAN in the Philippines.

In 2017, she earned a Master’s in National Security Studies from the Naval Postgraduate School and was designated a Regional Area Officer for East Asia. She then served as Theater Security Cooperation Director for I MEF, leading multinational operations, exercises, and engagements with allies and partners. From 2020–2022, she was Operations Officer for I MEF Information Group, integrating information warfare capabilities across cyberspace, space, electronic warfare, psychological operations, civil-military operations, and intelligence.

Colonel Pham graduated from the Naval War College in 2023 with a Master’s in National Security and Strategic Studies, receiving a writing award for Information Operations and Social Cybersecurity. She is currently the Director of Joint Plans and Operations and U.S. Senior National Representative at NATO School Oberammergau, Germany.

Her decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with gold star in lieu of fourth award, the Air Medal Strike/Flight with numeral “6,” and the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal with gold star in lieu of second award.

Colonel Pham is married to Alexander Roloff and they have three children: Konrad (15), Katharina (10), and Sabine (9).

Colonel Elizabeth Pham – Key Accomplishments

Trailblazing Naval Aviator – First Vietnamese female fixed-wing pilot in the U.S. Armed Forces; fourth female F/A-18 pilot in the U.S. Marine Corps; led the first all-female crewed F/A-18 combat missions during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.
Combat Proven Leader – Flew 155 combat missions and logged over 1,000 mishap-free F/A-18 flight hours; awarded multiple bombing “E” awards for excellence in precision strike; earned the “Top Hook” award for top carrier landing performance.
Operational Excellence in Combat Zones – As Individual Augment with 3D MAW (FWD), developed over 180 Air Tasking Orders enabling 4,800 combat sorties across Al Anbar Province, Iraq; flew additional combat missions with VMFA(AW)-225 and VMFA-115.
Headquarters Marine Corps Innovator – Directed rapid delivery of mission-critical warfighting capabilities to deployed forces in support of OIF/OEF, directly enhancing combat readiness.
Regional Operations Leader – Logged 600+ flight hours in UC-12W supporting multinational exercises (BALIKATAN, COBRA GOLD, ULCHI FREEDOM GUARDIAN) and humanitarian/disaster relief operations (OPERATION DAMAYAN) across East and Southeast Asia.
Strategic Security Cooperation Expert – Served as Director of Theater Security Cooperation for I MEF (2017–2020), leading planning and execution of multinational exercises, operations, and engagements with key allies and partners.
Information Warfare Specialist – As I MEF Information Group Operations Officer (2020–2022), coordinated multi-domain information operations, integrating cyberspace, space, electronic warfare, psychological operations, civil-military operations, and intelligence in support of Marine Air-Ground Task Forces.
Senior Joint Operations Planner – Currently Director of Joint Plans and Operations, NATO School Oberammergau, Germany, serving as the U.S. Senior National Representative. In my current position, I am entrusted with the responsibility of educating and developing over 32+ NATO Allies and Partnership for Peace nations in operational and strategic warfare, further strengthening our collective defense alliances.
Academic Distinction –
- Master’s in National Security Studies (East Asia focus), Naval Postgraduate School.
- Master’s in National Security and Strategic Studies, Naval War College; recipient of a distinguished writing award in Command & Control and Information Operations.
- Distinguished graduate, U.S. Marine Corps Command and Staff College.
Leadership Development Advocate – Founded and directed the MCAS Iwakuni Women’s Leadership Symposium (2013–2014), fostering mentorship and professional development for female service members.
Decorations & Recognition – Awarded four Meritorious Service Medals, six Air Medals (Strike/Flight), Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal (second award), and other personal and unit decorations for outstanding leadership and operational performance.
Trusted Advisor & Strategic Briefer – As Operations Officer for a 5,000-person I MEF Information Group, directly briefed the SECDEF, CMC, ACMC, MARFORPAC, CG I MEF, MARFORSPACE, and MARFORCYBER, enabling joint and naval commanders to employ dedicated reconnaissance and counter-reconnaissance forces in multi-domain environments.