USAG CAMP HUMPHREYS, Korea – MARFORK welcomed Belmont, Miss., native Col. Timothy “Crow” Burton, as the new U.S. Marine Corps Forces Korea Deputy Commander, this past month.
Burton assumed his new role after 25 years of service to include command at VMFAT-101 or F/A-18A-D aircrew replacement squadron; having led more than 7,500 Marines, sailors, and civilians over his career; flight in more than 30 aircraft; and having earned every tactical and instructor qualification for the F-18A-D.
His new responsibilities include serving as the MARFORK commander in his stead and focusing the staff on mission accomplishment.
“The nature of our work here requires maturity,” Burton said. “The Marines here interact with people who are much more senior, and I expect them to have the maturity necessary to ‘Set The Force’ by building and maintaining relationships with our Republic of Korea and U.S. counterparts from higher and adjacent commands. We need to work hard as a staff to keep those relationships amicable, drive forward, and ensure we’re ready to receive Marine forces.”
Burton, whose family will join him here, added it is important for Marines to maintain a balance between their personal and professional lives.
“I’m a guy who likes to get in early, but I don’t plan on sticking around past 1630 unless there’s something I’m morally obligated to knockout,” he said.
On the topic of leadership, Burton said he expects Marines to lead by example first and to meet and strive to exceed what is expected of them.
“Leaders need to be able to lead themselves,” Burton added. “We don’t have many junior Marines. Our average junior Marine is a corporal. That corporal needs to be able to lead their self and not allow a lack of standard or discipline to cause the rest of the team to look inward instead of outward.”
When asked what Marines can expect from him, Burton said they can expect him to hold himself to standards, and a Marine will never get in trouble for following an order or regulation already established.
“You don’t need my permission to follow a rule or regulation,” he added. "I think we all signed up to be Professional, Courteous and Deadly. I intend to smile as much as I can and maybe motivate someone to want to wear these eagles someday.”
Burton successfully deployed for Operation Enduring Freedom as the commanding officer of VMU-3, an unmanned aerial vehicle squadron that earned the Commandant’s Aviation Trophy in 2011. He has flown missions in support of Operations Noble Eagle, Noble Anvil, and in support of multiple Western Pacific deployments. He also deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as Operations Officer for Iraqi Security Force Developments Branch.
His experience includes billets as Marine Air Group 11 Executive Officer, Squadron Executive Officer, Operations Officer, Training Officer and Maintenance Officer; Marine Air Group Weapons and Tactics Instructor, Embark Officer, NATOPS Officer, and Powerline Officer.
His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal 3rd Award, Air Medal with Combat V, Navy Commendation Medal 3rd Award and Combat Action Ribbon. Upon Graduating from Test Pilot School, he was awarded the Aaron C. George Award for Warrior Focus. He also graduated 1st of 243 Marine Officers at The Basic School
VMFAT-101 earned the Chief of Naval Operations Safety award in July of 2018 from his time there as commanding officer.