Colonel Mark D. Van Brunt is the Commander, 944th Fighter Wing, Luke Air Force Base Arizona. As commander, he is responsible for an expeditionary combat support and total force associate wing. The 944th Fighter Wing is tasked to support worldwide mobility and combat employment operations in conjunction with supporting the Air Education and Training Command, and Air Combat Command mission to train F-16, F-35, F-15E, and A-10 pilots and weapons systems officers for the United States Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, and other participating nations.
Col. Van Brunt graduated from Queens College in 1998 and earned his commission through Air Force ROTC at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte. He is a graduate of the US Air Force Weapons Instructor Course and is a command pilot with more than 3,500 hours.
Col. Van Brunt served 10 years in the active-duty Air Force before joining the Air Force Reserve in 2008. He has commanded at the squadron and group level. He has flown combat missions in support of operations Northern Watch, Southern Watch, Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, Freedom’s Sentinel, and Inherent Resolve. Prior to his current position, he served as Commander, 482d Operations Group, Homestead ARB, Florida.
EDUCATION
1998 Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Spanish Minor, Queens College, Charlotte, N.C.
2004 Squadron Officer School, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2006 Master of International Business, Touro University, Cypress, CA
2010 Fighter Weapons Instructor Course, Nellis AFB, Nev.
2013 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2018 Master of National Resource Strategy, Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C.
2021 Reserve Component National Security Course, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 1998 – April 1999, Pilot Trainee, Shaw AFB, S.C.
2. April 1999 – August 2000, Student, Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, Columbus AFB, Miss.
3. August 2000 – April 2001, Student, F-16 Replacement Training Unit, Luke AFB, Ariz.
4. April 2001 – September 2003, Electronic Combat Pilot, F-16 Pilot, Spangdahlem AB, Germany
5. September 2003 – April 2004, Wing Electronic Combat Pilot, F-16 Pilot, Spangdahlem AB, Germany
6. April 2004 – June 2005, Wing Scheduling, F-16 Pilot, Osan AB, Republic of Korea
7. June 2005 – April 2006, Flight Commander, F-16 Instructor Pilot, Osan AB, Republic of Korea
8. April 2006 – April 2008, F-16 Operational Test Instructor Pilot, Eglin AFB, Fla.
9. April 2008 – May 2009, Chief of Scheduling, F-16 Instructor Pilot, Homestead ARB, Fla.
10. May 2009 – December 2010, Assistant Chief of Weapons, F-16 Instructor Pilot, Homestead ARB, Fla.
11. December 2010 – November 2013, Weapons Officer, F-16 Instructor Pilot, Homestead ARB, Fla.
12. November 2013 – August 2015, Director of Operations, 482 OSS, Homestead ARB, Fla.
13. August 2015 – July 2017, Commander, 93 FS, Homestead ARB, Fla.
14. July 2017 – July 2018, Student, Dwight D. Eisenhower School, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C.
15. July 2018 – April 2019, Chief, Combat Air Force Requirements Division, Headquarters United States Air Force, Pentagon, Va.
16. April 2019 – June 2021, Commander, 482d Operations Group, Homestead ARB, Fla.
17. June 2021 – Present, Commander, 944th Fighter Wing, Luke AFB, Ariz.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: command pilot
Flight Hours: More than 3,500, including 662 combat hours Aircraft Flown: T-37, T-38, F-16 and F-35
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Distinguished Flying Cross with “V” device Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters Air Medal with six oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster Joint Service Achievement Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal Air Force Combat Action Medal Joint Meritorious Unit Award Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with “V” device and seven oak leaf clusters Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two bronze stars Iraqi Campaign Medal with two bronze stars
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant July 4, 1998
First Lieutenant July 4, 2000
Captain July 4, 2002
Major April 9, 2008
Lieutenant Colonel Aug. 15, 2013
Colonel Aug. 18, 2018
(Current as of March 2023)