Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Raich is a native of Warrenton, Virginia. He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he graduated in May 2008 with a Bachelor of Science and major in American History. Upon graduation he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and reported to Fox Company 08 at The Basic School (TBS) in Quantico, VA. After graduating from TBS in January 2009, he completed Introductory Flight Screening in Manassas, VA.
In February 2009, Lieutenant Colonel Raich reported to Naval Aviation Schools Command in Pensacola, Florida to begin formal training as a Student Naval Aviator. He was designated a Naval Aviator in February 2011 with follow-on orders to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Training Squadron (HMLAT) 303 aboard Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Camp Pendleton, CA for training as an AH-1W Pilot. In August 2011, Lieutenant Colonel Raich reported to HMLA-169 and deployed to Helmand Province Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (12.2-13.1). During his time with HMLA-169 he served as the S-5 officer.
In the fall of 2013, Lieutenant Colonel Raich executed fleet-to-fleet orders to HMLA-367 aboard MCAS Kaneohe Bay, HI. He deployed twice to Okinawa, Japan as part of the HMLA-367 detachment to the 31st MEU, and served as Operations Flight Officer, Quality Assurance Officer, Current Operations Officer, and AH Pilot Training Officer. In 2015, he attended the Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) Course and was designated an AH-1W WTI. During his time in HMLA-367, Lieutenant Colonel Raich was designated Air Mission Commander, Flight Leader, Rotary Wing and Fixed Wing Defensive Air Combat Maneuvering Instructor, and Forward Air Controller (Airborne) Instructor.
In 2016, Lieutenant Colonel Raich was selected to join Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) as an AH-1W instructor pilot. During his time at MAWTS-1, Lieutenant Colonel Raich served as the Assistant Academics Officer, the Assault Support Tactics One (AST-1) major evolution coordinator, and as the AH-1 Aerial Escort subject matter expert (SME), the AGM-114 HELLFIRE missile SME, and the H-1 Air Naval Tactics Techniques and Procedures (ANTTP) Manager. Lieutenant Colonel Raich also completed AH-1Z series conversion training and regained all qualifications and designations in the AH-1Z while at MAWTS-1.
After his tour at MAWTS-1, Lieutenant Colonel Raich reported to Marine Corps Command and Staff College (CSC) in Quantico, VA in June 2020. He graduated in June of 2021 as a distinguished graduate, earning a Master of Military Studies. Following CSC, Lieutenant Colonel Raich reported to Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 29 to resume duties as an AH-1Z pilot and serve as the MAG-29 Current Operations Officer. In November 2021, Lieutenant Colonel Raich reported to HMLA-269 and served as the Assistant Aircraft Maintenance Officer while regaining proficiency in the AH-1Z. In February of 2022, he reported to HMLA-167 and assumed the duties of Operations Officer (OPSO) and deployed to Service Level Training Exercise (SLTE) and multiple other squadron level Deployments for Training (DFTs). Upon completion of his OPSO tour in May 2023, Lieutenant Colonel Raich reported back to MAG-29 Operations to serve as the Plans Officer. In 2023 Lieutenant Colonel Raich reported to US Fleet Forces Command (USFFC) in Norfolk, VA and served as a future operations planner in the N35 Future Operations directorate where he supported USFFC and US Naval Forces Northern Command (NAVNORTH) operations.
His personal decorations include the Air Medal with Strike/Flight numeral 4, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two gold stars, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.