FenixLives

It could be but it most likely isn't, at this point in time Thel'Vadam was a Supreme Commander of the fleet attacking Reach, being on the earth that is being glassed is not a proper location to command a fleet of warships. Remember, the Pillar of Autumn had already left the atmosphere, and in Halo 2 Thel'Vadam tells the council that when he saw the ship jump into slip space he followed with all the ships in his command. So he wasn't even in the same galaxy at this moment. And the fact that the sword is the elite's left hand is not proof, who knows if he is the only elite that prefers his energy sword in his left hand, what if it's an elite with 2 swords? It's happened before. Source: http://halo.wikia.com/wiki/Thel_'Vadam