LtCol Mark Parish

Ok. Here we go. I started flight school in Pensacola in 1990. Was selected for jets after primary flight training at NAS Whiting field and went to NAS Kingsville TX and was winged in Jan 1992.

From there to MCAS El Toro CA for FA-18 training. Finished there in Nov 1992 and as assigned to VMFA(AW)-533 at MCAS Beaufort SC.

While there I deployed twice to Aviano Air Base in Italy flying in support of Operations Deny Flight and Deliberate Force over Bosnia. So that was 12 months of combat flying. Finished that 3 year tour in Beaufort as then went to VMFAT-101 at MCAS El Toro CA as an FA-18 instructor pilot. Mostly air to air and night attack.

From there I went into the reserves to VMFA-142 at NAS Atlanta. Flying Hornets there for another 9 years !  In 2005 we deployed to Al Asad Air Base, Iraq for 7 months flying in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Another 7 months of combat flying. 

After that I hung em up but did serve as a staff officer at the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Lejeune NC from 2007-2010 at at Headquarters Marine Corps in Quantico VA as a Branch Head in Manpower from 2010-2013.

I retire in Jan 2014 after 27 years of service. 17 active and 10 reserves. I have been a pilot at American Airlines since Nov 1998 when I wasn’t in active duty. I’ve flown the 727/737/757/767/778 and Airbus A300 and A320. I’m currently an A320 Captain In Charlotte NC.