Col M. Mark Russell is the commander of the 55th Mission Support Group located at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. In this capacity he leads a diverse 1,600-person group consisting of five squadrons that support Air Combat Command's largest wing and over 50 associate units, including Headquarters, United States Strategic Command, 95th Wing, and the 557th Weather Wing. He manages a 4,006-acre base complex with over six million square feet of facilities and one of the largest privatized housing portfolios in the Department of Defense. His group provides base defense, mobility processing which deploys over 3,000 personnel per year, a $5 billion contracting portfolio, manpower and personnel services, infrastructure maintenance, emergency services and community support to 57,000 active duty, dependent, and retired personnel.
Colonel Russell joined the United States Air Force in 2003 and was commissioned through the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. Prior to his current position, the Colonel was the Chief, Asset Management Division, Directorate of Civil Engineers, DCS/Logistics, Engineering & Force Protection, Headquarters Air Force, Va.
Colonel Russell is a Senior Air Force Civil Engineer Officer and has served in various Civil Engineer assignments including, European Command Chief of Military Construction, Deputy Squadron Commander, Squadron Commander, F-22A Beddown Program Manager, and Readiness & Emergency Management Flight Commander. He has deployed twice in support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and RESOLUTE SUPPORT.
EDUCATION
2003 Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering, United States Air Force Academy, Colo.
2004 Aerospace Basic Course, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2008 Masters of Science in Civil Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Texas
2010 Squadron Officer School, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2013 Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering, North Carolina State University, N.C.
2014 Air Command and Staff College, (by correspondence)
2016 USAF Emergency Operations Center Director Course, Eaker Center for Professional Development, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.
2019 Joint Staff Course, 9 AF HQ, Shaw AFB, S.C.
2023 Air War College, (by correspondence)
ASSIGNMENTS OR CAREER CHRONOLOGY
1. August 2003–June 2004, Engineering Contracts Officer & Pavements Engineer, 1st Civil Engineer Squadron, Langley AFB, Va.
2. June 2004–January 2006, F-22A Beddown Program Manager, 1st Civil Engineer Squadron, Langley AFB, Va.
3. January 2006–August 2006, Engineer, 732nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Det 2, Tallil Air Base, Iraq
4. August 2006–July 2007, Readiness & Emergency Management Flight Commander, 1st Civil Engineer Squadron, Langley AFB, Va.
5. July 2007–July 2008, Master’s Student, University of Texas, Austin, Texas
6. July 2008–July 2010, Assistant Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering, United States Air Force Academy, Colo.
7. July 2010–July 2013, Doctor of Philosophy Student, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C.
8. July 2013–July 2016, EUCOM Chief of MILCON, Engineering Division, J4 Logistics Directorate, EUCOM, Stuttgart, Germany
9. July 2016–July 2017, Deputy Squadron Commander, 8th Civil Engineer Squadron, Kunsan AB, South Korea
10. July 2017–October 2019, Construction Division Chief, Deputy for Operations, and Assistant Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Dean of Faculty, United States Air Force Academy, Colo.
11. October 2019–May 2020, Chief of Programs & Facilities, Joint Engineer Directorate, HQ USFOR-A, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan
12. May 2020–June 2022, Construction Division Chief, Deputy for Operations, and Assistant Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Dean of Faculty, United States Air Force Academy, Colo.
13. July 2022–July 2024, Commander, 14th Civil Engineer Squadron, Columbus AFB, Miss.
14. July 2024–June 2025, Chief, Asset Management Division, Directorate of Civil Engineers, DCS/Logistics, Engineering & Force Protection, Headquarters Air Force, Va.
15. June 2025–Present, Commander, 55th Mission Support Group, Offutt AFB, Neb.
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 2013 – July 2016, Chief of MILCON, Engineering Division, J4 Logistics Directorate, EUCOM, Stuttgart, Germany, as a Major
2. October 2019 – May 2020, Chief of Programs & Facilities, Joint Engineer Directorate, HQ USFOR-A, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, as a Lieutenant Colonel
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Army Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
United States Air Force Academy Outstanding Academic Educator Award (2021)
U.S. Air Force Academy Association of Graduates Young Alumni Excellence Award (2018)
Pacific Air Forces Arthur S. Flemming Leadership Award (2017)
Society of American Military Engineers Regional Vice President’s Medal (2010)
Society of American Military Engineers Bliss Medal Runner-up (2009)
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS
Professional Engineer, CO License #0044405
(Current as of July 2025)