Thomas M. Bedell

Colonel Thomas M. Bedell graduated from the College of William and Mary in 1993 with degrees in English Literature and Sociology, and from the University of Manchester, the UK in 1994 with a Master’s in Economic and Social Studies. He then spent two years fighting forest fires with the US Forest Service.

Colonel Bedell completed The Basic School and the Infantry Officer Course in 1997, primary flight training in 1998, jet training in 1999, and AV8B training in 2001. From 2002 to 2005 Colonel Bedell served with VMA-214 “The World Famous Blacksheep” as Logistics Officer, Powerline Officer, and Airframes Officer. He deployed to Al Jaber, Kuwait in 2003 in support of Iraqi Freedom, and to Al Asad, Iraq in 2004 as part of the 11th MEU. After attending the Expeditionary Warfare School he joined VMA-211 “The Wake Island Avengers” from 2006 to 2009 where he served as Quality Assurance Officer, Pilot Training Officer, Weapons and Tactics Instructor, and Maintenance Officer. He deployed with the Avengers to Iraq in 2006, and to Japan in 2009 as part of the 31st MEU.