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Colonel Mark A. Orek

Colonel Mark A. Orek is the Commander of the 442nd Operations Group, Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri. He is responsible for the combat readiness of the 442nd Operations Group consisting of 24 A-10C attack aircraft and over 100 personnel. The 442nd Operations Group is capable of supporting contingency taskings worldwide in accordance with national objectives.

Colonel Orek earned his commission through the U.S Air Force Academy in 1998. He served 12 years in the regular Air Force flying the F-16 and T-38 IFF where he held various positions including introduction to fighter fundamentals branch chief, deputy inspector general for plans and inspections, and assistant director of operations. In 2010, Colonel Orek transitioned to the reserves flying the A-10C with the 303rd Fighter Squadron.

He has served as flight commander, assistant director of operations and director of operations for the 303 Fighter Squadron. Colonel Orek was selected as the commander, 442d Operations Support Flight and prior to his current position, he served as the Inspector General for the 442d Fighter Wing.

Colonel Orek has deployed numerous times in support of Operation Southern Watch and Operation Enduring Freedom. Colonel Orek has earned numerous medals and awards for his achievements while deployed including the Afghanistan campaign medal. He is a command pilot with more than 3,700 total hours and over 520 combat hours in the A-10 and F-16. In his civilian capacity, he flies for a Delta Air Lines.

EDUCATION
1998 Bachelor of Science in General Engineering, United States Air Force Academy, Colo.
2003 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2008 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala, by correspondence
2012 Joint Firepower Control Course, Whiteman AFB, Mo.
2018 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2019 U.S. Army War College, Carlise Barracks, Pa, by correspondence
2019 Masters of Strategic Studies, Carlise Barracks, Pa.
2019 Joint Professional Military Education Phase II, Carlisle Barracks, Pa.

ASSIGNMENTS

  1. September 1998 – November 1999, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, 87th Flying Training Squadron, Laughlin AFB, Texas
  2. November 1999 – February 2000, Student, Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals (IFF), 435th Fighter Training Squadron, Randolph AFB, Texas
  3. February 2000 – December 2000, Student, 308th Fighter Squadron, F-16 Basic Qualification Course, Luke AFB, Ariz
  4. December 2000 – November 2002, Scheduler, Assistant Weapons Officer, 555th Fighter Squadron, Aviano AB, Italy
  5. November 2002 – November 2003, Wing Munitions Officer, 31st Operations Support Squadron, Aviano AB, Italy
  6. November 2003 – January 2007, Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals (IFF) Instructor Pilot, Upgrading Instructor Pilot Instructor, Chief or Training, Chief of Plans and Flight Commander, 49th Fighter Training Squadron, Moody AFB, Ga
  7. January 2007 – March 2007, F-16 Requalification TX2, 308th Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Texas
  8. March 2007 – May 2007, F-16 Mission Requalification, 36th Fighter Squadron, Osan AB, South Korea
  9. May 2007 – March 2008, Wing Deputy IGI, Plans and Inspections, ORE planner, 51st Fighter Wing, Osan AB, South Korea
  10. March 2008 – December 2009, Assistant Director of Operations, IFF Instructor Pilot, UIP Instructor, 49th Fighter Training Squadron, Columbus AFB, Miss
  11. December 2009 – December 2010, Operations Group Stan/Eval IFF Branch Chief, Evaluator Pilot, 14th Flying Training Group, Columbus AFB, Miss
  12. December 2010 – April 2011, A-10C Qualification Course TX1, 357th Fighter Training Squadron, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz
  13. April 2011 – October 2013, A-10C Pilot and SELO, 303rd Fighter Squadron, Whiteman AFB, Mo
  14. October 2013 – July 2015, Flight Commander, A-10C Instructor, 303rd Fighter Squadron, Whiteman AFB, Mo
  15. July 2015 – July 2017, Commander 442nd Operations Support Flight, Whiteman AFB, Mo.
  16. July 2018 – July 2019, Assistant Director of Operations 303rd Fighter Squadron, Whiteman AFB, Mo
  17. July 2019 – June 2020,Director of Operations 303rd Fighter Squadron, Whiteman AFB, Mo
  18. June 2020 – February 2021, Wing Inspection Team Chief, 442d Fighter Wing, Whiteman AFB, Mo
  19. February 2021 – March 2022, Inspector General, 442d Fighter Wing, Whiteman AFB, Mo
  20. March 2022 – Present, Commander, 442nd Operations Group, Whiteman AFB, Mo

FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: More than 3,700 hours including more than 520 combat hours
Aircraft flown: T-37, T-38A, AT-38B, T-38C, F-16C and A-10C

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with six oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf clusters
Meritorious Unit Award
AF Outstanding Unit Award with five oak leaf clusters
Combat Readiness Medal with four oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Kosovo Campaign Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one oak leaf clusters
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Korean Defense Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Boarder with one device
Air Force Longevity Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with one 'M' Device
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon
NATO Medal

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION

Second Lieutenant May 27, 1998
First Lieutenant May 27, 2000
Captain May 27, 2002
Major December 1, 2007
Lieutenant Colonel December 1, 2014
Colonel May 1, 2022

(Current as of May 2022)