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Colonel Mark T. "Curly McKenzie" is the Commander and
Professor of Aerospace Studies, Detachment 730, AFROTC, University of Pittsburgh,
whose mission is to recruit, educate and train cadets in preparation for active
duty service in the United States Air Force through academic instruction in Air
Force Doctrine and history, as well as practical experience in all aspects of
leadership and officership.
Colonel McKenzie was commissioned into the US Air Force in 1984 after earning his
Bachelor's Degree in Aerospace Engineering from Pennsylvania State University. His
assignments include duties as a weapons system officer in the F-4; instructor
pilot/flight examiner in the F-15; special action officer, commander's action group
COMPACAF; aide-de-camp COMPACAF; assistant Director of Operations; Chief Command and
Control; Director of Operations; Fighter Squadron Commander, NAF A-5, and Commander,
Combat Plans Squadron.
Colonel McKenzie is a Command Pilot with over 2,800 flying hours in the F-4, and F-15.
His combat experience includes Operations DESERT STORM, NORTHERN/SOUTHERN WATCH, DENY
FLIGHT and IRAQI FREEDOM. In 1991 Colonel McKenzie deployed with the 525th Fighter
Squadron to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey for Operation DESERT STORM NORTH, and on 11 Feb
1991 earned his first aerial victory. In September 2001, as acting Commander 94th Fighter
Squadron, Colonel McKenzie’s squadron was pivotal in the success of the first active duty
response to the terrorist attacks at the Pentagon and New York City. He personally led
his squadron’s first, and numerous other Operation NOBLE EAGLE sorties in support of
Homeland Defense. In 2003, shortly after taking command of the "Ironmen" of the 71st
Fighter Squadron, Colonel McKenzie led his squadron’s combat deployment to Tabuk, Saudi
Arabia for Operation IRAQI FREEDOM where the Ironmen established and maintained complete
aerial supremacy over all Iraqi territory.
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EDUCATION
1984 Bachelor's of Science, Aerospace Engineering, Pennsylvania State University
1997 Master's of Aeronautical Science, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
1999 Master's of Military Operational Arts, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL.
2005 Master’s of Strategic Studies, Carlisle Barracks, PA
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Jun 1984 - Jun 1985, Student, Undergraduate Navigator Training, Mather AFB, CA
2. Jun 1985 - Jun 1986, Student, F-4 Replacement Training Unit, Homestead AFB, FL
3. Jul 1986 - Dec 1988, F-4 Weapons System Officer, Seymour Johnson AFB, NC
4. Dec 1988 - Dec 1989, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Vance AFB, OK
5. Apr 1990 - August 1990, Student, F-15 Fighter Training Unit, Tyndall AFB, FL
6. Sep 1990 - Sep 1993, F-15 pilot, Bitburg AB, GE
7. Sep 1993 - Mar 1996, Instructor Pilot, Flight Commander, Assistant Operations Officer,
Kadena AB, JA
8. Mar 1996 - Feb 1997, Special Action Officer, Commander's Action Group COMPACAF,
Hickam AFB, HI
9. Feb 1997 - Jun 1998, Aide de Camp, COMPACAF, Hickam AFB, HI
10. Jul 1998 - Jun 1999, Student, Air Command and Staff College
11. Jul 1999 - May 2000, Assist Director of Operations, 71st Fighter Squadron,
Langley AFB, VA
12. May 2000 - Apr 2001, 1 FW Chief Command and Control, Langley AFB, VA
13. May 2001 - Oct 2002, Director of Operations 94th Fighter Squadron, Langley AFB, VA
14. Jan 2003 - Jun 2004, Commander, 71st Fighter Squadron, Langley AFB, VA
15. Jul 2004 - Jul 2005, Student, U.S. Army War College, Carlisle, PA
16. Aug 2005 - Jun 2007, Commander, 607th Combat Plans Squadron, Osan AB, ROK
17. Jul 2007 - Present, Commander/Professor of Aerospace Studies, Detachment 730,
University of Pittsburgh, PA
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Distinguished Flying Cross
Bronze Star
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Combat Readiness Medal with 5 oak leaf clusters
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
1986 Distinguished Graduate, F-4 Replacement Training Unit
1989 Distinguished Graduate; Commander's Trophy, Flying/Leadership/Academic Awards, Undergraduate Pilot Training
1990 Orville Wright Achievement Award
1990 Top Gun, F-15 Fighter Training Unit
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant: May 30, 1984
First Lieutenant: May 30, 1986
Captain: May 30,1988
Major: May 1, 1996
Lieutenant Colonel: July 1, 1999
Colonel: June 1, 2005
(Current as of: August 2007)
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