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.