Lt. Col. Michael D. Bales, Commander, 1-210th Aviation Regiment
Lt. Col. Michael D. Bales grew up an Army Brat, but calls Northfield, Vermont home. He was commissioned as an Aviation officer from the United States Military Academy in 2005.
Lt. Col. Bales has served in multiple leadership and staff positions to include Flight Company Executive Officer and Maintenance Platoon Leader in the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade; Assistant S-3 and AVUM Company Commander in the 10th Combat Aviation Brigade; Battalion Operations Officer and Executive Officer (OC/T) in 1-351st Aviation Regiment; AVIM Company Commander and Assault Battalion Operations Officer in 1st Air Cavalry Brigade; and Operations and Strategic Plans Officer in the TRADOC G-3/5/7. Lt. Col. Bales completed combat tours in Iraq (2007-08) and Afghanistan (2010-11, 2020), and an operational deployment to Latvia (2017-18).
Lt. Col. Bales’ military education includes the Aviation Officer Basic Course, UH60A/L/M Blackhawk Helicopter Qualification Courses, Aviation Captain’s Career Course, and the Command and General Staff College. He earned political science degrees from the United States Military Academy (BS) and Norwich University (MA), and an MBA from the College of William & Mary.
Lt. Col. Bales' awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (3OLC), Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (3OLC), Valorous Unit Award, Air Assault Badge, Aviator Badge, and the German Armed Forces Badge.
He is married to Maj. Jennifer (Vanecek) Bales, a Blackhawk pilot and Army Strategist. They have a daughter, Elizabeth, and a son, Andrew. Jenn is currently a Special Assistant to the Commanding General of the Army’s Training and Doctrine Command.