Colonel Thomas M. Bedell graduated from the College of William and Mary with degrees in English Literature and Sociology, and from the University of Manchester, UK 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, primary flight training, jet training, and AV8B training. 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 support of Iraqi Freedom, and to Al Asad, Iraq as part of the 11th MEU. After attending the Expeditionary Warfare School he joined VMA-211 “The Wake Island Avengers” from where he served as Quality Assurance Officer, Pilot Training Officer, Weapons and Tactics Instructor, and Maintenance Officer. He deployed with the Avengers to Iraq, and to Japan as part of the 31st MEU.
Colonel Bedell served as Aide de Camp to the Deputy Commandant for Aviation and as Harrier Requirements Officer. He then attended the Naval War College earning an M.A. in National Strategic Studies. He then completed a Joint tour serving as the Operations Officer for the United States Special Operations Command Wargame Center.
Colonel Bedell commanded VMR-1, “The Roadrunners”, followed by a year as the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Current Operations Officer. He attended the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies as a CMC Fellow, earning a Master’s of International Public Policy. He was then assigned to Marine Forces Korea where he served as the Liaison to the 7th Air Force at Osan Air Base, South Korea. He previously served as the Director of the CMC Safety Division before taking the command of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.
Colonel Bedell has been awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal with Strike/Flight Numeral 14, Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various unit and campaign awards.