Major Joseph Bertagna served as the Operations and Training Officer for Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 3 from August 2008 to May 2010. During this time, he established rigorous training programs that improved the squadron's combat readiness from 68% to 88%. His efforts were instrumental in coordinating over 31,000 combat flight hours of reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition support across Iraq and Afghanistan. Major Bertagna worked tirelessly to integrate unmanned aerial systems into various exercises and operations, expanding their use and improving situational awareness for ground forces. His exceptional leadership and dedication were vital in preparing the squadron for successful combat deployments.

1. MAJ BERTAGNA, JOSEPH T, USMC iAPS CASE ID # 212037
Citation
NC approved as NC by COL JEFFREY DAVIS on 06/14/2010
MERITORIOUS SERVICE AS OPERATIONS AND TRAINING OFFICER, MARINE UNMANNED AERIAL
VEHICLE SQUADRON 3, MARINE AIR CONTROL GROUP 38, 3D MARINE AIRCRAFT WING, FROM
AUGUST 2008 TO MAY 2010. MAJOR BERTAGNA'S FOCUSED LEADERSHIP AND UNMATCHED
ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS TRANSITIONED MARINE UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE SQUADRON 3 FROM
THE BASIC LEVELS OF COMBAT READINESS TO A COMBAT QUALIFIED FORCE, ABLE TO SUPPORT
COMBAT OPERATIONS IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN. TO THIS END, HE COORDINATED
RECONNAISSANCE, SURVEILLANCE, AND TARGET ACQUISITION SUPPORT TO BOTH THEATERS
CONSISTING OF OVER 31,000 COMBAT FLIGHT HOURS, FROM NINE LOCATIONS WHICH IS THE MOST
EVER FOR A VMU. ADDITIONALLY, HIS EFFORTS WERE INSTRUMENTAL IN IMPROVING THE
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS OF THE MARINE AIR GROUND TASK FORCE, INFLICTING DAMAGE ON THE
ENEMY WHILE PRESERVING THE LIVES OF OUR WARFIGHTERS. MAJOR BERTAGNA'S INITIATIVE,
PERSEVERANCE, AND TOTAL DEDICATION TO DUTY REFLECTED CREDIT UPON HIMSELF AND WERE
IN KEEPING WITH THE HIGHEST TRADITIONS OF THE MARINE CORPS AND THE UNITED STATES
NAVAL SERVICE.
NAVMC 11533 (EF)

2. MAJ BERTAGNA, JOSEPH T, USMC iAPS CASE ID # 212037
Summary of Action
From August 2008 to May 2010, Major Joseph Bertagna has established and maintained a high level of
excellence for the Operations and Training Department for Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 3 (VMU-
3), Marine Air Control Group 38, 3d Marine Aircraft Wing, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Forces Pacific.
As the squadrons Operations Officer, his accomplishments directly contributed to the many successes and
milestone achievements of the squadron.
As a result of Marine Corps Bulletin 5400 directing the activation of VMU-3, Major Bertagnas assignment as the
Operations Officer would bring a myriad of demands and challenges ranging from developing and executing a
rigorous training program that would meet an Initial Operational Capable deadline sixty days from his arrival, to
preparation for an upcoming deployment scheduled 13 months after initial activation.
Confronted with a very low squadron Combat Readiness Percentage of 68-percent and with no Unmanned Aerial
Systems (UAS) to train on, Major Bertagna quickly engaged with VMU-1, a sister squadron, and coordinated co-
usage of a Shadow UAS and any available training opportunities until the arrival of their own system. Operating
within the commanders guidance of developing a sortie-based training plan and getting VMU-3 involved in
exercises to showcase the capabilities of the squadron, Major Bertagna produced outstanding results.
Identifying the opportunity to revitalize UAS into Mojave Viper (MV) live-fire and maneuver training exercise,
Major Bertagna took the commanders guidance and arduously worked with base staff personnel and staff at the
Tactical Training Exercise Control Group (TTECG) aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC)
to develop a formal period of instruction into the training which mandated infantry battalions to incorporate use of
UAS into their scheme of maneuver. This opportunity proved its potential during the squadrons first MV as
ground and aviation units observed UAS in a call for fire role, acting as an extension of a Tactical Air Control
Party facilitating Type 2 control of Close Air support, as well as providing terminal guidance for manned aviation
platforms. These events jump-started high interest in expanding UAS integration in MV.
Major Bertagna continued to proceed forward with commanders intent and became intimately involved with
integrating the VMU back into the Marine Corps premier aviation live-fire training exercise, Weapons and Tactics
Instructors (WTI) course. Absent for over five years along with new and refined mission sets for the VMU, Major
Bertagna worked with the instructor staff at Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) to
revitalize a lost capability due to high operational tempo prior to activation of the Marine Corps third VMU
squadron. He coordinated VMUs ability to showcase capabilities such as filling the strike coordination and
reconnaissance-coordinator role and acting as a targeting acquisition platform for High Mobility Artillery Rocket
System and other indirect weapons systems. As a result of his efforts and a successful WTI training exercise,
MAWTS revised its course curriculum to ensure students received maximum exposure of UAS capabilities other
than a surveillance platform.
Never satisfied with the status quo, Major Bertagnas leadership, knowledge, and focus were instrumental in the
development in the communitys first-ever Air, Naval Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures publication. Working
with MAWTS-1 and Training and Education Command, his contributions to re-writing a relevant training and
readiness manual for Unmanned Aircraft Commanders will have impact on the community for years to come.
Looking to expand upon a sortie-based training plan beyond MV, Major Bertagna utilized his resourcefulness and
coordinated UAS training with elements of 1st Marine Division. This training evolution out of LZ-53, Camp
Pendleton, CA; was a first-ever for a VMU and was a template for others to emulate in pursuit for continued
integrated training. Organizing a Detachment training evolution proved wise in concept and execution as this
prepared the Detachment for its upcoming deployment to a combat theater and increased readiness and
proficiency in call for fire procedures, convoy operations, and integration into the aviation and ground schemes of
maneuver.
Major Bertagna continued to push for and coordinate with MAWTS-1 for a Block IV pre-deployment training
certification. Yet, another first for the VMU community, the certification process will undoubtedly continue to build
and become a valued benchmark to evaluate and assess VMU squadrons readiness to support combat
operations.
Major Bertagna stretched out beyond normal boundaries to ensure adequate training venues for the squadrons
readiness. His out-of-the-box thinking ensured well-rehearsed Detachments that were ready to deploy to two
separate theaters of war spanning nine different locations. Providing the framework for cross-training over 15
Marines on full motion video exploitation, Major Bertagnas foresight and adaptability resulted in a Marine Corps
global sourcing reduction of external augmentation request for intelligence Marines to support an upcoming
deployment.
Even while deployed, his tenacious approach to maximize UAS into current counter-insurgency operations was
impressive. Directly liaising with Regimental Combat Team-7, he ensured unprecedented incorporation of
Marine Corps organic UAS. Taking on roles outside the scope of his normal duties, he was the direct point of
contact on UAS matters for all levels of command. Undoubtedly the scope of support would have been degraded
had it not been for his consistent education of UAS to supported, adjacent and higher echelons of command.
Throughout his tour, focus has remained on operational excellence and combat readiness. He increased the
combat readiness percentage to a remarkable 88 percent, despite a very constrained timeline and losing
experience aircrew for augmentation to contracted UAS.
NAVMC 11533 (EF)

3. MAJ BERTAGNA, JOSEPH T, USMC iAPS CASE ID # 212037
During his tour as Operations Officer, he directly oversaw operational employment and tasking for more than
27,000 contracted Scan Eagle flight hours during combat operations and nearly 4,500 Shadow UAS flight hours.
Major Bertagnas performance throughout this period has been exemplary. His dedicated efforts have elevated
the standard expectation for UAS squadrons. His achievements are deserving of recognition and it is with the
utmost enthusiasm that Major Bertagna is recommended for the Navy Commendation Medal.
NAVMC 11533 (EF)