Biography
Executive Officer, Marine Aircraft Group 16
Lieutenant Colonel Bjorn E. Thoreen

Lieutenant Colonel Thoreen was born and raised in Washington State, graduating from Stanwood High School. He graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and was commissioned as an officer in the United States Marine Corps in December of 2002.
LtCol Thoreen completed The Basic School in October of 2003 and completed Flight School, was winged as a Naval Aviator, and selected as a CH-53E pilot in June of 2005.
LtCol Thoreen joined HMH-462 in January of 2006 and deployed with HMM-265 (REIN) on the 31st MEU in 2007, with HMH-462 to Iraq in 2008 in support of OIF, completed Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) Course 2-09 and deployed again to Iraq and Afghanistan from 2009-2010 in support of OIF and OEF. While at HMH-462, LtCol Thoreen served as the squadron WTI, Pilot Training Officer, Airframes and Phase Division Officer, Intel OIC, Schedule Writer, and Ground Safety Officer.
LtCol Thoreen reported to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) as a CH-53E Instructor Pilot from 2010-2013. While at MAWTS-1, LtCol Thoreen served as the Assault Support Tactics One Evolution Coordinator, Air Defense Artillery and CH-53E Defensive Measures SME, and evaluated several Enhanced Mojave Viper Exercises.
LtCol Thoreen was then assigned to MARSOC as the G-7 Air Officer from 2013-2015. LtCol Thoreen served as the MARSOC and SOCOM lead planner for BOLD ALLIGATOR 2014, coordinated aviation and operations for RAVEN pre-deployment certification exercises, revamped RAVEN exercises to align with MARSOC Theater deployments, and assisted in standing up the MEU/ARG SOFLE program. Following his MARSOC tour, LtCol Thoreen completed resident Marine Corps Command and Staff College in Quantico, Virginia.
In August 2016, LtCol Thoreen returned to HMH-462 and was assigned as the CH-53E Detachment Officer in Charge for the 15th MEU. While at VMM-161 (REIN) from January 2017-February 2018, LtCol Thoreen served as the ACE Operations Officer for work ups and deployment aboard the USS AMERICA to the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Gulf. Upon return to HMH-462 LtCol Thoreen was assigned as the Executive Officer and also served as the ACE Commander for Special Purpose MAGTF – Peru, the first USMC Dynamic Force Employment, aboard the USS SOMERSET.
LtCol Thoreen was assigned as the MAG-16 Executive Officer in February 2019.  His awards include the Air Medal with numeral 6 and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with three gold stars in lieu of fourth award. He has held all CH-53E qualifications and designations and has flown over 2,600 mishap-free flight hours including over 1,100 while utilizing night vision goggles.