Mark Chance graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado, Class of 1984. He retired in 2014 as a U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel.
Sponsored by:
Mark
Aaron
Chance
1961
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Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Mark Aaron Chance, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-111F Weapon Systems Officer over Qalat Salih Airfield, Iraq, on 17 January 1991. On that date, Captain Chance flew as lead Weapon Systems Officer on his mission to destroy aircraft shelters housing SCUD missiles. Approaching the target, the anti-aircraft fire was extremely heavy blocking the approach to the target. Captain Chance called immediately for the flight to climb to medium altitude to avoid the anti-aircraft artillery fire and continued in for the attack. He broke out of his assigned target from a cluttered airfield environment and destroyed it with GBU-24A/B laser guided munitions. Destruction of these SCUT missiles and a hardened aircraft shelter reduced Iraq’s capability to launch attacks on the coalition forces. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Chance reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainRegiment:
48th Tactical Fighter WingAction Date:
January 19, 1991
Department of the Air Force, United States Central Air Forces, Special Order GA-008 (April 26, 1991)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Mark Aaron Chance, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against the Republic of Iraq while serving as Pilot of an F-111F Aircraft of the 48th Tactical Fighter Wing, in action near Al Habbaniyah Airfield, on 19 January 1991. On that date, Captain Chance assumed lead weapon systems officer duties of a fourteen aircraft composite force package during a night attack against a runway used for MiG-29 operations. Despite air-to-air and surface-to-air missile attacks and extensive anti-aircraft artillery fire, he successfully rendered a MiG-29 airfield incapable of launching or recovering aircraft. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Chance has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
July 12, 2008 – August 6, 2010
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Mark Aaron Chance, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander, 3d Mission Support Group, 3d Wing, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, from 12 July 2008 to 6 August 2010. During this period, Colonel Chance faced numerous challenges requiring exceptional leadership and innovative solutions. His leadership was crucial to managing an operating budget averaging 105 million dollars per year; and maintaining facility and infrastructure assets worth 6.5 billion dollars across 13,400 acres. His seven squadrons directly supported a flying hour program worth over 200 million dollars, ensuring successful accomplishment of the 3d Wing’s peacetime training; operational airlift and air superiority; and continuous air sovereignty alert missions. He orchestrated the flawless deployment of 7,500 Airmen and Soldiers and 2,700 tons of cargo to 25 locations world-wide with 99.9 percent meeting their required in-place date, far surpassing the Air Expeditionary Forces Center goal of 95 percent. He also led the Air Force’s top-rated privatized housing project with over 2,000 high quality units and a 50-year contract valued in excess of three billion dollars. His efforts were critical in revitalizing a stalled military construction program worth more than 400 million dollars and successfully bedding down the F-22 and C-17. Finally, the Mission Support Group’s sustained excellence was the driving force behind Elmendorf winning the 2010 Commander-in-Chief’s Installation Excellence Award as the best base in the entire Air Force. The superior initiative, outstanding leadership, and personal endeavor displayed by Colonel Chance reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.