Bradley S. James 

Colonel Bradley S. James is a native of Austell, Georgia and a graduate of Kennesaw College. He has accumulated over 4600 flight hours in the KC-130 E/F/R/T variants with operational flying tours in MAG-14, MACG-48, MAG-41, MAG-49, MAG-11 (FWD), and MAG-16(FWD). He has also served on the staffs of II MEF, 2d MAW, 4th MAW, MAG-41, and MAG-49.

He received his commission as a 2ndLt in December 1985. After The Basic School and flight training, he was stationed at MCAS Cherry Point, NC serving with VMGRT-253and VMGR-252. During this time, he served within the logistics, operations, and the safety departments. He also served at the 2nd Marine Air Wing Headquarters as the Air Transport Coordination Officer.

He joined VMGR-234 in Glenview, Illinois in MAR 1993 as a Reservists (SMCR). In AUG 1994, he transferred with VMGR-234 to NAS Ft. Worth, Texas as the Weapons & Tactics Instructor and Aircrew Training Officer. During MAR 1999, he transferred to MAG-41 as Assistant Operations Officer. He also served as OIC for KC-130 Detachments for the 24th and 26th Marine Expeditionary Units. In FEB 2000, he transferred back to VMGR-234 as the Operations Officer.

In JAN2002, he activated and assumed the position of VMGR-234 Detachment Alpha Commander. He deployed with VMGR-234 DET A (-) from FEB through MAY 2002 to Bahrain and Pakistan. After arriving to the forward deployed location, he also assumed command of Detachment B from VMGR-352. The combined detachments directly supported the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) participating in Operation Anaconda in Afghanistan.

He deployed in JAN 2003 to Shaik Isa Air Base, Bahrain. There he assumed the duties as 3rd Marine Air Wing Advance Party OIC, Marine Camp Mayor, and Marine Liaison for the 319th and 384th Air Expeditionary Wings (USAF) during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

He assumed command of VMGR-452 in OCT 2003 and deployed with the “Yankees” of VMGR-452 (-) to Al Asad, Iraq for OIF II-2 from AUG 2004 to FEB 2005. Reinforced with a detachment from VMGR-352, VMGR-452 (-) (REIN) participated in Operation Phantom Fury and the first Iraqi elections in fifty years.

Upon graduation from the Air War College in May 2006, he reported to II Marine Expeditionary Forces at Camp Lejeune, NC as the Reserve Integration Division Site OIC and Operational Sponsor for the Individual Marine Augmentee Program.

From MAY 2008 until FEB 2011, he held the position of Deputy Group Commander of MAG-49 in Willow Grove, PA. During this period, he also was the Air Component Element Commander for Exercise Javelin Thrust 2010. He joined 4th MAW in FEB 2011 as the Assistant Wing Commander.

Colonel James is a resident graduate of the Air War College, Joint & Combined Warfighting School (JPME II), Weapons & Tactics Instructor Course, Weapons & Tactics Senior Watch Officer Course, Reserve Component National Security Course (x2), Joint Interagency Multi-planners Course, and the Commandant’s Commander Course (x2).

Colonel James’ personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star in lieu of second award, the Air Strike Medal with numeral “9”, the Navy / Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Gold Star in lieu of second award, the Navy / Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Gold Star in lieu of fourth award, and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with the Bronze Hour Glass, “M” with numeral “3” devices.