Captain Thomas T. Bodine is a native of Decatur, Alabama, and a 1998 graduate of the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering - Summa Cum Laude.  He was commissioned in May 1998 (NROTC – Ole Miss) and was designated a Naval Flight Officer in 1999.  He holds a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College, graduating with Distinction.  Captain Bodine currently serves as the Chief of Staff, for Commander, Naval Air Forces and Commander, Naval Air Pacific.

Captain Bodine’s operational command tours include Commander, Carrier Air Wing Seven (CVW-7) from 2021 to 2023 deploying aboard the USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77) and Commanding Officer of the “FIGHTING REDCOCKS” of VFA-22 (F/A-18F Squadron) from 2016 to 2017.  Additional operational fleet assignments include: VF-14 “TOPHATTERS” flying the F-14A and deploying aboard the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) in support of Operations SOUTHERN WATCH and ENDURING FREEDOM (2001-2002); VFA-41 “BLACK ACES” flying the F/A-18F squadron and deploying aboard the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (2002-2003); VFA-102 “DIAMONDBACKS” flying the F/A-18F and deploying aboard the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) and the USS George Washington (CVN 73) (2006-2008); and VFA-103 JOLLY ROGERS” flying the F/A-18F and twice deploying aboard the USS Eisenhower (CVN 69) in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (2008-2010).

Ashore, Captain Bodine’s assignments include instructor and Standardization Officer at the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) (2003-2006); East Coast Strike Fighter Placement Officer, Navy Personal Command (2010-2011); Executive Officer of the West Coast F/A-18EF Fleet Replacement Squadron, the VFA-122 “FLYING EAGLES” (2016); the first Federal Executive Fellow at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs think tank (2017-2018), Operations Research Analyst, Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation Directorate (CAPE), Office of the Secretary of Defense (2018-2019); and Executive Assistant to the Commander, NORAD and USNORTHCOM (2023-2025).  

Captain Bodine has accumulated more than 3,500 flight hours, 900 carrier-arrested landings, 550 combat hours, and 105 combat sorties and has earned the Naval Strategist subspeciality designation.  Personal awards include; Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal; Air Medal - Strike/Flight (5 awards); Air Medal – Individual Action (2 awards both with Bronze Star and Combat Distinguishing Device); Joint Services Commendation Medal; Navy Commendation Medal (3 awards); Navy Achievement Medal; 2007 Order of the Daedalians United States Navy Exceptional Pilot Award; and various unit, campaign, and service awards. 
 

Last Updated: 17 June 2025