COL Mason D. Thompson was born in Providence, RI and calls Imlay City, MI home. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1997 as an Infantryman before selection to Officer Candidate School and commissioning as an Aviation Lieutenant in 1999. Over his 27 year career, he has served in wide variety of assignments, including operational deployments in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn, and Gallant Phoenix.
Prior to arrival to USAREC, Thompson served in the Human Resources Command as the DCOS G8, managing a $3.2B budget; in V Corps as the Director of Aviation and Director of Training and Exercises, preparing NATO Allies and Ukrainian partners for Large Scale Combat Operations; and Commander of 1-222d Aviation Regiment, the Army’s largest Aviation Battalion.
As a company grade officer, Thompson served in Aviation leadership and staff assignments to include 3-58th Aviation Regiment (ATS) and 2-501st Aviation Regiment in Hanau, Germany and the First Armored Division Commanding General’s Flight Detachment and 1-214th Aviation Regiment in Wiesbaden, Germany. His service in Germany is highlighted by command of the U.S. Army’s largest fixed wing company, B Company, 1-214th Aviation Regiment and Wiesbaden Army Airfield.
As a field grade officer, Thompson began a series of broadening assignments, moving to Hawaii in 2010 and deploying as an Advisor to Iraqi Security Forces and Brigade Chief of Operations for 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (SBCT). He then served as the Chief of Operations, 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command and Brigade Aviation Officer and Brigade Operations Officer for the 500th Military Intelligence Brigade. Prior to Battalion Command, Mason served in the Joint Special Operations Command’s Joint Interagency Task Force - National Capital Region as the Deputy Director of Operations and Director of Operations for a deployed Task Force.
His education includes the U.S. Army War College, the Command and General Staff College, the Military Intelligence Officer Advanced Course, Aviation Officer Basic Course, Fixed Wing Multi-Engine Qualification Course, and SERE-C. He is qualified in the UH-60, C-12, and UC-35 aircraft and holds a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Studies from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, a Master of Business Administration from the Florida Institute of Technology, and a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.
His significant awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Combat Action Badge and Senior Army Aviator Badge.