In 1978, John enlisted in the Rhode Island National Guard, graduating from Officer Candidate School in 1982, Armor Basic Course in 1983 and the US Army Aviation Center, Helicopter Flight School in 1984.

He spent 10 years on flight status as a helicopter pilot, flying missions in a variety of Army helicopters including the UH-1 Huey, the OH-6 Cayuse and the OH-58 Kiowa Warrior. In 1986, John went to work full-time for the Rhode Island National Guard as the Adjutant General’s Public Affairs Officer. During this period of service he was the press spokesman for the National Guard during snow related emergencies, an oil spill and the attack of a sniper in Northern Rhode Island.

Captain John Loughlin on the flight deck of an Army UH-1H helicopter. John spent 10 years on active flight status flying hundreds of missions in a variety of Army helicopters. Today, John is a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army Reserves.

John was twice mobilized for active duty during his 26 year military career, and saw duty in Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1995 and 1996 and Ft. Bragg, North Carolina in 2003 training units for duty in Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Today, John serves as a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army Reserve with the Second Simulations Exercise Group, of the 78th Division based in Bristol Rhode Island.

Lieutenant Colonel John Loughlin on active duty at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, instructing Tactical Operations for deploying Iraqi Freedom units.

Paid for by the Friends of John Loughlin, Deborah Pallasch, Treasurer.