Biography

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121
Major Collin M. Wood

Major Wood is a West Texas native, born and raised in San Angelo.  He attended Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas and enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in 2007, serving with 1/23 out of Houston Texas until his graduation from Texas A&M.  He graduated with Bachelors of Business Administration in Finance in May of 2011.  Following graduation, Major Wood commissioned as a 2ndLt.  After graduating from The Basic School, 2ndLt Wood attended Aviation Preflight Indoctrination in Pensacola, Florida, and completed Primary and Advanced Flight School at Naval Air Station Whiting Field. After Advanced Helicopter training in Pensacola, Florida flying the TH-57, 1stLt Wood earned his wings of gold and was ordered to MCAS Camp Pendleton, California for training on the UH-1Y Huey.

1stLt Wood joined HMLA-369 the “Gunfighters” in the summer of 2014.  During his first fleet tour, he deployed with the squadron on the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) / Unit Deployment Program (UDP) to MCAS Futenma, Okinawa. In 2016, Captain Wood attended the Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course at Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) in Yuma, Arizona. His billets during this tour included work in the Department of Safety and Standardization, the UH-1 Pilot Training Officer, Future Operations Officer, and Tactics Officer.

In 2019, Captain Wood reported to MAWTS-1 to serve as a UH-1Y Instructor Pilot.  During his time at MAWTS-1, Captain Wood served as the Operations Representative and lead planner for multiple large force training evolutions01. While at MAWTS-1, Captain Wood was selected for a Strike Transition under the Rotary-Wing to Strike Transition Program.

He reported to MATSG-22 in 2021 and underwent Intermediate and Advanced Flight Training in the T-45, completing in the Summer of 2022.  Following his time at MATSG-22, Major Wood checked into VMFA/T-501 at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina for initial training in the F-35B, completing the syllabus in 2023.

In 2023, Major Wood reported to VMFA-121 the “Green Knights.”  Major Wood has served as the Director of Safety and Standardization and the Squadron Operations Officer.  He currently serves as the Executive Officer.

Major Wood’s personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Gold Star in lieu of second award and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Gold Star in lieu of second award. 

1st Marine Aircraft Wing