Col Mark S. Donnelly USAF

Foil: 17 Panel: 2 Column: 4 Line: 72

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Ms. Lucy G. Donnelly

Colonel Donnelly earned his private pilot's license in a Cessna 150 from Sawyer Aviation in Phoenix, AZ on September 14, 1970. He entered the Air Force in June 1975, after graduating from the United States Air Force Academy. He attended pilot training at Williams AFB, AZ. A distinguished graduate, he received his wings in July 1976, earning the Flying Training Award and Academic Training Award for his class. He remained at Williams AFB, assigned to the 97th Flying Training Squadron as a T-38 instructor pilot, squadron check pilot, and Runway Supervisory Unit Training Officer.

In May 1980, he was assigned to the 53rd Military Airlift Squadron/ 63rd Military Airlift Wing, Norton AFB, CA, as a C-141 pilot. He served as a flight examiner aircraft commander and assistant chief, Wing Combat Tactics and Techniques Branch. He was qualified in the Special Operations Low Level (SOLL II) mission and was commander of the wing's 1984 Volant Rodeo competition crew.

In March 1986, he was assigned to Headquarters, Military Airlift Command, Scott AFB, IL, as an operations research analyst. He served as the Deputy Chief, Economic, and Resource Analysis Division, CINCMAC Analysis Group. During contingencies he assumed duties as Executive Officer, MAC Crisis Team.

In March 1989, he was reassigned to the 99th Airlift Squadron, 89th Operations Group, Andrews AFB, MD, where he served as a C-20/VC-25 Flight Examiner Aircraft Commander. He joined the Presidential Pilots Office in October 1994.

He became the eleventh Presidential Aircraft Commander and Commander of the Presidential Pilots Office on Inauguration Day, January 20, 1997. He was responsible for all fixed wing airlift for the President of the United States and was the President's primary pilot. He conducted all planning for the Presidential missions and oversaw maintenance and modifications for the Presidential VC-25C and C-20 aircraft. He held this position until June 2001.

He has been a First Officer flying the Boeing 737 out of Baltimore Washington International Airport for Southwest Airlines since June of 2001.