Captain Mark Weisgerber is the vice commander of the 33rd Fighter Wing, Air Education and Training Command, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The 33rd Fighter Wing serves as the home to the F-35 Lightning II Integrated Training Center, providing flying and maintenance training for the Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and eight international partners. The wing is also responsible for all Air Force Air Battle Manager training at Tyndall AFB, Fla. and an Intelligence Formal Training Unit at Hurlburt Field, Fla. When fully equipped the 33rd FW may have up to approximately 60 F-35s assigned to two flying squadrons. The unique nature of this fighter wing accommodates service specific requirements in a non-traditional Air Force fighter wing structure.
Capt. Weisgerber earned his commission through the Duke University Naval ROTC program in 1991. He completed flight training in Meridian, Miss., and was designated a Naval Aviator in 1994. He has accumulated over 4000 flight hours, with six squadron tours in fleet units flying the F/A-18C/E/F and has over 875 carrier landings. He has been in command at both the Squadron and Wing level. Additionally, he has served on US Northern Command staff as a Branch Chief and the Chief of Naval Operations staff as Executive Assistant to the Director, Navy Programming Division. He has flown during Operations DELIBERATE GUARD, SOUTHERN WATCH, IRAQI FREEDOM, and ENDURING FREEDOM logging more than 200 combat flight hours.
EDUCATION:
1991 Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, Duke University, N.C.
1994 Designated Naval Aviator, Naval Aviation School, Meridan, Miss.
2002 Aviation Safety School
2004 Master of Arts, National Security and Strategic Studies, Naval War College, Newport, R.I.
2005 Joint Phase Military Education Level 2, Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Va.
ASSIGNMENTS:
1. Jan 1992 - April 1994, Student Naval Aviator, Pensacola, Fla.; Milton, Fla.; Meridan, Miss.
2. May 1994 – Feb 1995, T-2C Buckeye instructor, VT-23, Naval Air Station Kingsville, Texas
3. Mar 1995 – Nov 1995, F/A-18C Hornet fleet replacement pilot, VFA-106, NAS Cecil Field, Fla.
4. November 1995 – November 1998, Air to Air Weapons Training Officer, VFA-87, NAS Cecil Field, Fla., USS JOHN F. KENNEDY, OPERATION DELIBERATE GUARD, SOUTHERN WATCH
5. November 1998 – December 2001, Carrier Qualification Phase Head, VFA-122, NAS Lemoore, Calif.
6. December 2001 – February 2003, Maintenance Officer, VFA-41, NAS Lemoore, Calif., USS NIMITZ, OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM
7. February 2003 – June 2004, Student, Naval War College in Newport, R.I.
8. July 2005-July 2007, J5 Branch Chief, US Northern Command, Colorado Springs, Colo.
8. April 2008 – November 2008, Executive Officer, VFA-122, NAS Lemoore, Calif.
9. November 2008 – July 2011, Commanding Officer, VFA-14, NAS Lemoore, CA, USS NIMIITZ, OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM,
10. Aug 2011 - Mar 2012, Executive Assistant to Director, Navy Programing Division, Naval Operations, Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
11. Mar 2012 – February 2015, Commander, Strike Fighter Wing Atlantic, Virginia Beach, Va.
13. May 2015 – Present, Vice Commander, 33rd Fighter Wing, Eglin AFB, Fla.
FLIGHT INFORMATION:
Rating: Strike Leader/Mission Commander; Forward Airborne Controller (Airborne); Wing/Training Landing Signal Officer
Flight Hours: More than 4,000
Carrier Landings: More than 875
Aircraft Flown: T-34C, T-2C, TA-4J, F/A-18A/B/C/D/E/F, F-35C
AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Legion of Merit
Joint Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medals
Air Medal with Bronze Star/Combat Distinguishing Device
Four Strike/Flight awards
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals
Navy Achievement Medals
Various campaign and unit awards
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:
Ensign May 1991
Lieutenant Junior Grade May 1993
Lieutenant Jun 1995
Lieutenant Commander Sep 2000
Commander Jan 2006
Captain Sep 2012
Point of Contact 33rd Fighter Wing, Public Affairs Office;
1007 Nomad Way; Eglin AFB, Fla. 32542;
DSN 873-4485 or 850-883-4485;
e-mail: 33fw.pa.publicaffairs@us.af.mil