Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Wood attended the United States Naval Academy where, upon graduation in May of 2008, he received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. After commissioning as a Second Lieutenant, he reported to Fox Company at The Basic School
Following graduation from The Basic School, LtCol Wood reported to Naval Air Training Command in Pensacola, Florida and was designated a Naval Aviator in September of 2011. After receiving his wings, he reported to Marine Heavy Helicopter Training Squadron (HMHT) 302 at MCAS New River, North Carolina for initial training in the CH-53E Super Stallion. LtCol Wood’s first fleet assignment was with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 461 from 2012 to 2016. In February of 2013, he deployed with HMH-461 to Helmand Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) 13.1. Upon return from Afghanistan, he served in various billets in the Operations Department before attending Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) Course 2-15. As a Weapons and Tactics Instructor, LtCol Wood deployed with the inaugural Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Southern Command (SPMAGTF-SC) to Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras. Upon return from the SPMAGTF-SC deployment, he served as the Quality Assurance Officer until executing orders to attend the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio.
In August of 2016, LtCol Wood reported to AFIT, where he earned a Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering. Following graduation in June of 2018 he reported to the United States Naval Academy where he served as an Aeronautical Engineering Instructor.
In June of 2021, LtCol Wood reported to Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 29, where he assumed the role of Future Operations Officer. From February until April of 2022, LtCol Wood deployed with MAG-29 to Bardufoss, Norway, where MAG-29 served as Site Command Bardufoss in support of Exercise Cold Response 22. In May of 2022, LtCol Wood reported to HMH- 464 where he served as the Operations Officer before assuming the role of Executive Officer in May of 2023. LtCol Wood next served as the Assault Support Logistics Capabilities Integration Officer in the Capabilities Development Directorate Aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico before returning to MAG-29 in the winter of 2025. LtCol Wood reported to HMHT-302 in June of 2026 and is currently the Commanding Officer.
Lieutenant Colonel Wood’s personal decorations include a Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with Strike/Flight Numeral “3”, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two gold stars, and a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.