Col. Mark D. Howard is the Commander, 55th Wing, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. He is responsible for organizing, training and equipping six groups and 30 squadrons executing worldwide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; electromagnetic attack; and nuclear command, control and communications support. He is also responsible for support to more than 50 associate units, including U.S. Strategic Command, the 557th Weather Wing, and more than 45,000 active-duty members, civilians, family members and retirees.
Col. Howard’s career began in 2000 at Officer Training School at Maxwell AFB, Ala., where he earned his commission in the U.S. Air Force. During his career he has served in a variety of positions including the U.S. Northern Command Joint Staff as Civil Support Operations Officer, Peterson AFB, Colo., and commander of the 763rd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. In addition, he’s served as the director of operations of the 38th Reconnaissance Squadron at Offutt AFB, Neb., and Chief of Electromagnetic Spectrum/ Electronic Warfare Branch, Headquarters Air Force Strategic Plans and Programs, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Prior to his current assignment, Col. Howard was Vice Commander, 55th Wing, Offutt AFB, Neb.
Col. Howard is a master RC-135V/W Rivet Joint Combat Systems Officer with more than 2,400 flying hours, including 940 combat and 140 combat support hours.
EDUCATION
1999 Bachelor of Arts, University of Texas, San Antonio
2006 U.S. Air Force Weapons School, RC-135V/W Weapons Instructor Course, Nellis AFB, Nev.
2006 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2006 Master of Aeronautical Science, Human Factors, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Fla.
2009 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2011 Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
2012 Master of Military Strategy, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2019 Master of Strategic Studies, Marine Corps War College, Quantico, Va.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. April 2000 - July 2000, Officer Trainee, Officer Training School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2. July 2000 - August 2001, Student, Undergraduate Navigator Training, Randolph AFB, Texas
3. August 2001 - July 2002, Student, RC-135V/W Combat Systems Officer, 338th Combat Training Squadron, Offutt AFB, Neb.
4. July 2002 - October 2007, RC-135V/W Instructor/Evaluator Combat Systems Officer, Flight Commander and Weapons Officer, 343d Reconnaissance Squadron, Offutt AFB, Neb.
5. October 2007 - July 2008, 55th Wing Weapons and Tactics, Flight Commander, 55th Operations Support Squadron, Offutt AFB, Neb.
6. July 2008 - June 2011, Assistant Director of Operations, 8th Weapons Squadron, USAFWS, Nellis AFB, Nev.
7. June 2011 - July 2012, Student, Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
8. July 2012 - June 2013, Student, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
9. June 2013 - June 2015, Civil Support Operations Officer, J35 US Northern Command, Peterson AFB, Colo.
10. June 2015 - November 2015, Student, RC-135V/W Tactical Coordinator, 338th Combat Training Squadron, Offutt AFB, Neb.
11. November 2015 - May 2016, Director of Operations, 38th Reconnaissance Squadron, Offutt AFB, Neb.
12. May 2016 - May 2017, Commander, 763d Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, Al Udeid AB, Qatar
13. June 2017 - July 2018, Director of Staff, 55th Wing, Offutt AFB, Neb.
14. August 2018 - June 2019, Student, Marine Corps War College, Quantico, Va.
15. June 2019 - June 2020, Chief, Electromagnetic Spectrum/Electronic Warfare Branch, Headquarters Air Force Strategic Plans and Programs, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
16. June 2020 - June 2021, Strategy Division Chief, 607th Air Operations Center, Osan AB, Republic of Korea
17. July 2021 - June 2023, Vice Commander, 55th Wing, Offutt AFB, Neb.
18. June 2023 - Present, Commander, 55th Wing, Offutt AFB, Neb.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Master Navigator
Flight hours: more than 2,400 including 940 combat and 140 combat support
Aircraft flown: T-43A and RC-135V/W
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Medal
Aerial Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
(Current as of November 2023)