T.R. Matson, also known as "Wombat" was born and raised in Sayreville, New Jersey. He attended Texas A&M University at Galveston, where he enrolled in the NROTC program and was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy in 2002. A month later he set off for flight school in Pensacola, Florida. While in the Navy, he flew five different aircraft including the T-37B, T-44, T-45A & C models, E-2C Hawkeye, and the F/A-18C Hornet. He completed four combat deployments, three of which were in the E-2C Hawkeye and one in the F/A-18C Hornet. He deployed onboard USS Nimitz (CVN-68) and USS Stennis (CVN-74). In addition to his Fleet tours, T.R. also instructed in the T-45 Goshawk in Kingsville, Texas and in Meridian, Mississippi while on active duty, and additionally in Pensacola, Florida as a Reservist. While he was flying, T.R. spent the majority of his spare time as a Landing Signals Officer (LSO) and ended up with Wing Qualification. His last active duty assignment was at Training Air Wing 1, in charge of all student Carrier Qualifications.
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