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Mark D. Kelly
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Mark D. Kelly
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Mark Damon Kelly (born September 19, 1962)[1] is a retired general in the United States Air Force who served as the commander of Air Combat Command from 2020 to 2024.[2] He previously served as the deputy chief of staff for operations from August 2018 to August 2020.[3] He is a command pilot with more than 6,000 flying hours. His pilot experience is including 800 combat hours in Tactical Fighter-Aircraft.[4]

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Kelly was commissioned through the Reserve Officers' Training Corps program at Southwest Texas State University in February 1986.[5] Kelly received his commission from the Air Force ROTC program at Southwest Texas State University in 1986. He earned his pilot wings at the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training School at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas.

Air Force career

[edit]
Brigadier General Kelly piloting a Lockheed-Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon during his tenure as commander of 455th Air Expeditionary Wing.

Upon commissioning and earning of his pilot wings, Kelly was first assigned as an instructor pilot with duty as the executive, standardardization and evaluation officer for the 80th Flying Training Wing, also located at Sheppard Air Force Base, specializing in the Cessna T-37 Tweet Training Aircraft. He received his training for piloting the McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle from August 1991 to April 1992, under 461st Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona.[4][6]

As a colonel, Kelly served as vice commander of the 366th Fighter Wing at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho from 2007 to 2008. His general officer assignments include command of the 354th Fighter Wing from 2012 to 2014, wing commander of the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing in 2014, and commander of the Ninth Air Force at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina from July 31, 2015, to May 17, 2016.[7][8]

Lieutenant General Mark D. Kelly, Air Force deputy chief of staff for operations, gives a speech during the Air Force Association's annual conference on September 17, 2018.

In 2016, Kelly received his third star and relieved Lieutenant General Mark Nowland as commander of Twelfth Air Force and U.S. Air Forces Southern, the air component of the United States Southern Command, on October 3 of the same year.[4][9] In August 2018 Kelly was appointed as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations of the United States Air Force, also relieving Nowland in the post. The position was one of the ten senior positions within the Air Staff, and in this capacity, Kelly was responsible with the tasked for development and implementation of policy which was directly supporting global operations, force management, weather, training, and readiness across the air, space and cyber fields.[4]

Commander of Air Combat Command

[edit]
Kelly is administered the reaffirmation oath by Air Force Chief of Staff General Charles Q. Brown Jr. upon his promotion to general on August 28, 2020.

In June 2020, it was announced that Kelly would be appointed to the rank of general, and assigned to succeed the retiring James M. Holmes as the thirteenth commander of Air Combat Command. The nomination was received in the Senate on June 8, 2020, and confirmed on July 20, 2020.[10][11] His promotion ceremony and subsequent assumption of command were both officiated on August 28, 2020, at Joint Base Langley–Eustis.[12][13] Air Force chief of staff General Charles Q. Brown Jr. delivering the change-of-command ceremony remarks.[6]

In this capacity, Kelly was responsible for organizing, training, equipping and maintaining the Air Force's combat-readiness, primarily through ACC's purpose as the primary provider of combat-ready forces to the service's major commands and service component commands.[6] As ACC commander, Kelly also oversaw the development of strategy, doctrine, concepts, tactics, and procedures for air, space, and cyber-power employment and assisted sister agencies with intelligence, surveillance and crisis response capabilities.[6]

Kelly speaks at the Air Force Association's Air, Space & Cyber Conference on September 22, 2021.

Kelly oversaw an overhaul of the Air Combat Command's fighter training enterprise, based upon the new concept of "Rebuilding the Forge" that began under Kelly's predecessor, James M. Holmes. ACC summarily began a transition into using newer technologies to facilitate the training and assessment of fighter pilots, including the addition of the upcoming T-7A Red Hawk alongside front-line combat jets as training aircraft. This would reduce wear on such combat jets and leave more combat capacity for real-world contingencies.[14] The concept was targeted to yield 60 percent more operational hours for F-22 Raptors and could save costs per flying hour by three to five times.[14]

Speaking at the 2021 Air Force Association's Air, Space & Cyber Conference, Kelly emphasized the importance of American air superiority and the modernization of the fighter force, stating that a war with the People's Republic of China could end badly if the United States ever gave up air superiority to its competitor.[15] At the same time, Kelly reaffirmed his commitment to shifting the fighter force to compete with China's, evolving from previous peer based adversaries such as Iraq and the Soviet Union.[16] He stated that reinforcing the Air Force's ability to assume immediate control of the air was what foreign armed forces counted on, and that such a capability was necessary to maintain in the Air Force.[17]

Kelly retired from active duty effective March 1, 2024.[1]

Flight information

[edit]
Kelly piloting a Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle.

Rating: command pilot

Flight hours: more than 6,000

Aircraft flown: T-37, T-38, F-15E, F/A-18, F-16, F-35A [4]

Education

[edit]
  • 1986 Bachelor of Arts, Mathematics, Southwest Texas State University, San Marcos.
  • 1990 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
  • 1996 U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nev.
  • 2001 Master of Military Arts and Sciences, Air Command and Staff College, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
  • 2007 Master of Science, National Security Studies, National War College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
  • 2011 Harvard Kennedy School of Executive Education, Leadership Decision Making Seminar.[4]

Assignments

[edit]
Kelly speaks to fellow airmen during a visit to Grand Forks Air Force Base on October 7, 2021.
  1. April 1986–May 1987, Student Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training, Sheppard AFB, Texas.
  2. June 1987–July 1991, T-37 Instructor Pilot, Executive Officer and Standardization and Evaluation Officer, 80th Flying Training Wing, Sheppard AFB, Texas.
  3. August 1991–April 1992, Student, F-15E Replacement Training Unit, 461st Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz.
  4. April 1992–July 1995, F-15E Instructor Pilot and Weapons Officer, 90th Fighter Squadron, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska.
  5. August 1995–January 1998, F-15E Instructor Pilot and Weapons Officer, 492d Fighter Squadron, RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom
  6. February 1998–June 2000, Assistant Director of Operations, 2nd Operational Conversion Unit, Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18 Fighter Weapons School, RAAF Williamtown, New South Wales, Australia.
  7. July 2000–June 2001, Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
  8. June 2001–September 2002, Weapons and Tactics Flight Commander, 4th Operations Support Squadron, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.
  9. October 2002–March 2004, Director of Operations, 336th Fighter Squadron, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.
  10. April 2004–May 2006, Commander, 333rd Fighter Squadron, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.
  11. August 2006–June 2007, Student, National War College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
  12. July 2007–September 2008, Vice Commander, 366th Fighter Wing, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, with duties as Vice Commander, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.
  13. September 2008–April 2010, Commander, 4th Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.
  14. April 2010–April 2011, Executive Officer, Deputy Commander, U.S. Pacific Command, Camp Smith, Hawaii.
  15. April 2011–July 2012, Chief of Staff, Pacific Air Forces, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.
  16. July 2012–June 2014, Commander, 354th Fighter Wing, Eielson AFB, Alaska.
  17. July 2014–July 2015, Commander, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.
  18. July 2015–May 2016, Commander, Ninth Air Force, Shaw AFB, S.C.
  19. June 2016–September 2016, Special Assistant to the Commander, Air Combat Command, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.
  20. October 2016–August 2018, Commander, Twelfth Air Force, Air Combat Command, and Commander, Air Forces Southern, U.S. Southern Command, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.
  21. August 2018–August 2020, Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, Headquarters United States Air Force, Arlington, Va.
  22. August 2020–February 2024, Commander, ACC, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.[1][4]

Awards and decorations

[edit]
US Air Force Command Pilot Badge
Headquarters Air Force Badge
Unidentified badge
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Defense Superior Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters
Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor device and oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Service Medal with three bronze oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with one silver and three bronze oak leaf clusters
Air Medal (second ribbon to denote tenth award)
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Aerial Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Combat Action Medal
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor device and three bronze oak leaf clusters
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (second ribbon to denote fifth award)
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Combat Readiness Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Recognition Ribbon
National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with service star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with gold frame and two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Longevity Service Award with one silver and three bronze oak leaf clusters
Air Force Training Ribbon
Royal Australian Air Force Chief of Staff Gold Medal
NATO Medal for the former Yugoslavia

Dates of promotion

[edit]
Kelly is pinned with his fourth star by his family on August 28, 2020.
Rank Date[18]
Second lieutenant February 12, 1986
First lieutenant February 12, 1988
Captain February 12, 1990
Major November 17, 1997
Lieutenant colonel May 10, 2002
Colonel January 1, 2007
Brigadier general September 14, 2012
Major general September 2, 2015
Lieutenant general October 3, 2016
General August 28, 2020

[3]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Mark D. Kelly

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia

Mark D. Kelly is a retired four-star general in the United States Air Force who commanded Air Combat Command from August 2020 until his retirement in March 2024. As commander of Air Combat Command, headquartered at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, he was responsible for organizing, training, equipping, and maintaining combat-ready air forces for rapid deployment and employment worldwide, including providing forces to U.S. Central, European, and Pacific Commands as well as conducting nuclear deterrence operations. Kelly entered the Air Force in 1986 through the ROTC program at Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University) and earned his pilot wings at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. A command pilot, he accumulated more than 6,000 flying hours, including over 800 combat hours primarily in fighter aircraft such as the F-15E Strike Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon. During his 38-year career, Kelly commanded a fighter squadron, two fighter wings, an expeditionary wing, and two numbered air forces, culminating in his leadership of Air Combat Command, which oversees approximately 78,000 personnel and a fleet of advanced fighters, bombers, and reconnaissance aircraft. Among his notable recognitions, Kelly was inducted into Air Combat Command's Order of the Sword in 2023, an honor bestowed by enlisted Airmen for exceptional leadership and dedication to their welfare, making him the 10th ACC commander to receive this distinction.

Early Life and Education

Early Life

Mark D. Kelly received his commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Southwest Texas State University in 1986, marking his initial entry into military service. This commissioning followed completion of the ROTC requirements integrated into his undergraduate studies, providing a pathway for officer candidacy without prior enlisted service. No publicly available official records detail pre-collegiate family background, regional origins, or specific early experiences influencing his pursuit of an aviation career.

Formal Education

Mark D. Kelly received a degree in mathematics from Southwest Texas State University in , in 1986. He was commissioned as a through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program at the same institution, which provided the foundational pathway to his entry into the U.S. as a pilot trainee. This undergraduate education emphasized analytical skills applicable to aeronautical computations and mission planning in high-performance aircraft operations. Kelly completed several professional military education programs to advance his qualifications for progressively senior roles. In 1990, he graduated from Squadron Officer School at , , focusing on junior leadership and operational fundamentals. He attended the U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons School at , , in 1996, earning distinction in advanced tactics and weapons employment critical for proficiency. Furthering his strategic expertise, Kelly earned a Master of Military Arts and Sciences from Air Command and Staff College, Air University, at in 2001. In 2007, he obtained a in national security strategy from the , National Defense University, in , addressing joint operations and policy formulation. He also participated in Seminar XXI, an program at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, , in 2011, which examined challenges through interdisciplinary analysis. These credentials collectively equipped him with technical rigor from his mathematics background and layered strategic acumen for air combat command responsibilities.

Air Force Career

Initial Training and Assignments

Kelly completed undergraduate pilot training as a student in the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training program at , , from April 1986 to May 1987, earning his aeronautical rating and pilot wings upon graduation. From June 1987 to July 1991, he remained at Sheppard AFB as a T-37 Tweet instructor pilot and , accumulating experience in primary flight instruction, syllabus management, and initial leadership roles within the training pipeline. This assignment honed his foundational aviation skills and operational proficiency in supervising novice pilots transitioning to jet operations. In August 1991, Kelly transitioned to advanced fighter training, serving as a student in the F-15E Strike Eagle Replacement Training Unit with the 461st Fighter Squadron at , , until April 1992. This course qualified him for operations in the dual-capable F-15E platform, emphasizing air-to-air and air-to-ground tactics in non-combat environments to establish baseline fighter proficiency.

Combat and Operational Roles

Kelly flew more than 800 combat hours in across multiple operations, contributing to enforcement of s, suppression of enemy air defenses, and precision strikes against high-value targets. His operational deployments included participation in , enforcing the northern over from 1998 to 2003 by conducting armed and missions that deterred Iraqi regime aggression and disrupted military infrastructure. In , from 1992 to 2003, Kelly engaged in similar southern patrols, delivering kinetic effects that neutralized surface-to-air threats and supported coalition ground forces through , thereby maintaining airspace dominance and enabling corridors. During Operation Allied Force in 1999, Kelly's missions targeted Serbian integrated air defenses, achieving measurable degradation of command-and-control nodes that facilitated NATO's air campaign success and compelled Yugoslav withdrawal from without allied ground casualties. In Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, spanning 2001 to 2011, he conducted combat sorties that disrupted and insurgent networks through time-sensitive strikes, correlating with reduced enemy operational tempo in key theaters as evidenced by post-mission battle damage assessments. Kelly's valor in these roles earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross with "V" device for extraordinary heroism in aerial combat, along with a subsequent recognizing additional meritorious achievements under fire that directly advanced mission objectives. Later deployments in from 2014 onward involved strikes against ISIS leadership and logistics, yielding empirical reductions in terrorist safe havens as tracked by coalition intelligence metrics.

Wing-Level Commands

Kelly served as Vice Commander of the at , , from July 2007 to September 2008. The wing, equipped with F-15E Strike Eagle , maintained through rigorous training exercises and deployment preparations during his tenure. In July 2012, Kelly assumed command of the at , , serving until June 2014. As the northernmost combat wing in the U.S. Air Force, operating A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft, it emphasized training and rapid deployment capabilities to support Pacific theater operations. Under his leadership, the wing enhanced mission readiness in extreme cold weather environments, contributing to joint exercises with allies. From September 2014 to June 2015, Kelly commanded the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing at , , overseeing operations from a forward location with an additional expeditionary group at Kandahar Airfield. The wing supported coalition forces in a high-threat environment, generating and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance sorties amid ongoing efforts. His command focused on sustaining operational tempo while ensuring in contested .

Senior Air Force Commands

Kelly assumed command of at , , on July 31, 2015, relinquishing it on May 17, 2016. ) As commander of this numbered air force, aligned under , he oversaw combat-ready air forces supporting U.S. Central Command's theater operations, including integration of airpower for expeditionary missions in the and , with emphasis on rapid deployment and joint force synchronization. The command managed multiple wings equipped for , , , and , contributing to ongoing efforts through enhanced operational planning and force presentation. From October 3, 2016, to August 2018, Kelly commanded (Air Forces Southern) at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, , concurrently serving as air component commander for U.S. Southern Command. In this dual role, he directed air operations across , focusing on security cooperation, , and counter-narcotics missions, while integrating air assets with joint and partner nation forces to bolster regional stability and . His leadership supported U.S. Southern Command's priorities, including humanitarian assistance exercises and operations that enhanced partner capacity amid threats from transnational criminal organizations. Kelly served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations at Headquarters U.S. , Arlington, , from August 2018 to August 2020. In this position, he shaped Air Force-wide policies on force employment, readiness, and doctrinal adaptations for competition, determining requirements for , capabilities development, and training to counter peer adversaries. His tenure emphasized agile combat employment concepts and multi-domain integration to improve responsiveness in contested environments, informing shifts toward distributed operations and frameworks.

Commander of Air Combat Command

General Mark D. Kelly assumed command of (ACC) on August 28, 2020, during a ceremony at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, , succeeding General . As commander, Kelly oversaw the organization, training, and equipping of ACC's combat air forces, which included approximately 74,000 active-duty Airmen, over 1,000 aircraft, 35 wings, and operations across 12 bases and more than 242 locations worldwide. His leadership focused on preparing forces for high-end conflicts with peer adversaries such as and , emphasizing deterrence through enhanced readiness and operational adaptability. Kelly prioritized initiatives to modernize training and integrate Agile Employment () concepts into standard operations, shifting from episodic exercises to recurring, mainstream training to improve survivability, dispersal, and in contested environments. In May 2021, he directed the establishment of a to implement a new air forces force generation model, optimize wing structures for peer-level fights, and train units for proficiency, aiming to counter advanced threats including hypersonic weapons through distributed operations and resilient basing. These efforts included formalizing large-scale test events like Black Flag in December 2020 to validate tactics against sophisticated adversary capabilities. Under Kelly's tenure, ACC achieved measurable readiness gains, such as declaring the HH-60W Jolly Green II combat-ready on October 4, 2022, enhancing capabilities, and certifying the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds for the 2022 air show season following intensive training evaluations. Exercises like PACER FORGE were expanded to master ACE in austere environments, fostering empirical improvements in force agility and lethality for competition scenarios. Kelly relinquished command on February 29, 2024, handing over to during a ceremony at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, concluding a period marked by strategic shifts toward peer deterrence amid evolving global threats.

Flight and Combat Experience

Aircraft and Flight Hours

Kelly holds a command pilot rating and has logged more than 6,000 flight hours, including over 800 combat hours in tactical . His flying qualifications encompass undergraduate pilot training platforms such as the and , acquired during the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training program at , , completed in the late 1980s. He is qualified in the , a twin-engine multirole fighter used for air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, on which he accumulated significant operational experience. In September 2021, Kelly completed qualification training in the , a modernized variant featuring advanced and increased payload capacity, demonstrating ongoing proficiency in evolving strike platforms. Kelly's versatility extends to other fighter types, including the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon, reflecting command of units equipped with these single-engine, highly maneuverable aircraft suited for air superiority and roles. This breadth of qualifications across trainer, strike, and multirole fighters underscores his multi-domain expertise, critical for overseeing Air Combat Command's diverse fleet operations. No public breakdown of hours by specific aircraft type is available, though his combat hours predominantly derive from fighter deployments.

Combat Missions and Achievements

General Mark D. Kelly accumulated over 800 combat hours in , primarily the F-15E Strike Eagle, during deployments supporting U.S. operations in and . These missions involved , precision strikes, and suppression of enemy air defenses, contributing to the degradation of adversary capabilities and the protection of coalition ground forces in contested environments. Kelly's direct participation in high-risk aerial engagements earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross with "V" device for heroism and extraordinary achievement, recognizing leadership in missions that achieved decisive tactical effects against enemy targets. A subsequent to the award further denotes repeated valor in combat operations, underscoring his role in maintaining air superiority through effective employment of airpower in dynamic threat scenarios.

Awards, Decorations, and Promotions

Major Awards and Decorations

Kelly was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal with one for exceptionally meritorious service in a position of great responsibility. He received the Defense Superior Service Medal with two s, recognizing superior meritorious service in duties of great responsibility outside the while assigned to a joint activity. The Legion of Merit with two s was bestowed for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. For valor in combat, Kelly earned the Distinguished Flying Cross with "V" device, awarded for heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against an armed enemy. He also received the with "V" device for heroic or meritorious achievement or service in a combat zone. Additional significant decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters for outstanding non-combat meritorious achievement or service, and the with 13 oak leaf clusters, primarily for meritorious achievement or service in aerial flight, including combat operations. Kelly holds the Command Pilot insignia, denoting qualification as an aircraft commander in high-performance military aircraft. In 2023, he was inducted into the , an enlisted honor recognizing inspirational leadership.

Dates of Promotion

Mark D. Kelly received his commission as a in the United States on February 12, 1986, following completion of the Air Force ROTC program at Southwest Texas State University. Promotions to subsequent field-grade and senior ranks were governed by centralized selection boards assessing operational performance, leadership assignments, and professional military education. The effective dates of his promotions are documented as follows:
RankEffective Date
February 12, 1986
February 12, 1988
February 12, 1990
MajorNovember 17, 1997
May 10, 2002
January 1, 2007
Brigadier GeneralSeptember 14, 2012
Lieutenant GeneralOctober 3, 2016
GeneralAugust 28, 2020
These advancements positioned Kelly for wing-level commands by the rank and leadership as a , culminating in four-star command of .

Post-Retirement Activities

Retirement and Transition

General Mark D. Kelly relinquished command of during a ceremony on February 29, 2024, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, passing leadership to Lieutenant General , who was promoted to general upon assumption of duties. The ceremony, presided over by Air Force Chief of Staff General , marked the formal handover of responsibilities for organizing, training, equipping, and maintaining combat-ready air forces numbering over 78,000 personnel and more than 1,100 aircraft. Kelly retired from active duty effective March 1, 2024, after 38 years of service that began with his commissioning in 1986 through the ROTC program at . His departure concluded a tenure as ACC commander that commenced on August 28, 2020, during which he directed efforts to bolster operational readiness amid evolving great power competition. In reflecting on his leadership, Kelly's initiatives emphasized modernization of legacy platforms, integration of Agile Combat Employment tactics to disperse and sustain forces in contested environments, and prioritization of high-end warfighting capabilities against pacing threats such as . These priorities were credited with positioning ACC to "create dilemmas" for adversaries by expanding the operational envelope beyond prior baselines, as noted in post-ceremony assessments of his foundational contributions.

Current Roles and Contributions

General Mark D. Kelly, following his retirement from the U.S. Air Force in February 2024 after 38 years of service, operates as an independent defense and leadership consultant from . In this capacity, he applies his extensive experience in air combat operations and command to advise on strategic readiness and organizational effectiveness for challenges. As an Executive Fellow in the Class of 2025 at the Institute for Defense and Business, Kelly contributes to programs that develop senior leaders in defense acquisition, , and joint operations. His involvement supports the institute's mission to enhance in complex environments, drawing on principles of adaptive leadership and team accountability honed during his tenure commanding over 86,000 personnel in . Kelly maintains influence through speaking engagements at professional defense forums, focusing on airpower sustainment amid peer competition with adversaries like . At events such as the International Fighter conference and Mitchell Institute discussions, he addresses the need for rigorous, data-driven pilot training—emphasizing live adversary exercises and high sortie rates over simulation-heavy or administrative diversions—to restore empirical warfighting edges eroded by budget constraints and shifting priorities. For example, in a 2025 Mitchell Institute session, he outlined requirements for rapid force generation in potential conflicts, prioritizing combat-proven tactics and dynamics within hierarchical teams to counter numerically superior foes. These contributions underscore a realist approach to deterrence, advocating toward kinetic capabilities rather than expansive non-core missions.

References

  1. https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3693038/air-combat-command-welcomes-new-commander/
  2. https://www.airandspaceforces.com/kelly-succeeds-holmes-transformational-acc-commander/
  3. https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/108818/mark-d-kelly/
  4. https://www.dafitc.com/general-mark-d-kelly-biography/
  5. https://www.idga.org/events-air-dominance-summit/speakers/general-ret-mark-kelly
  6. https://www.idb.org/our-team/db-executive-fellows/mark-d-kelly/
  7. https://www.acc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3513083/acc-enlisted-induct-gen-kelly-into-order-of-the-sword/
  8. https://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient/recipient-391320/
  9. https://www.aerotechnews.com/davis-monthanafb/2022/07/28/12th-air-force-air-forces-southern-gains-new-commander/
  10. https://www.eielson.af.mil/News/Features/Display/Article/642605/republic-of-korea-afcos-visits-eielson/
  11. https://www.afcent.af.mil/News/Photos/igphoto/2000835119/
  12. https://www.dvidshub.net/image/2034811/brig-gen-kelly-fini-flight
  13. https://www.acc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/660473/9th-af-welcomes-new-commander/
  14. https://www.dm.af.mil/Media/Press-Releases/Article/985581/d-m-hosts-12th-af-afsouth-change-of-command/
  15. https://www.southcom.mil/MEDIA/NEWS-ARTICLES/Article/952148/new-commander-to-take-reins-of-12th-af-afsouth/
  16. https://conference.defensenews.com/speaker/mark-kelly/
  17. https://www.airandspaceforces.com/article/qa-the-future-of-the-expeditionary-force/
  18. https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2329876/gen-mark-kelly-takes-command-of-acc/
  19. https://www.acc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2605064/acc-establishes-task-force-to-prepare-for-high-end-fight/
  20. https://www.acc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2457230/the-future-of-test-black-flag/
  21. https://www.wpafb.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3193874/us-air-force-declares-hh-60w-combat-ready/
  22. https://www.airandspaceforces.com/watch-read-kelly-and-whiting-on-combat-air-and-space-forces-in-the-fight/
  23. https://www.acc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3692015/air-combat-command-welcomes-new-commander/
  24. https://www.53rdwing.af.mil/News/Article/2764257/acc-commander-completes-f-15ex-eagle-ii-qualification/
  25. https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2020/08/31/new-commander-takes-the-reins-of-acc/
  26. https://www.acc.af.mil/News/Article/2328599/lt-gen-kelly-pins-fourth-star/
  27. https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/floor_activity/2016/09_15_2016_Senate_Floor.htm
  28. https://www.airandspaceforces.com/new-air-combat-command-wilsbach-china/
  29. https://www.westexec.com/mark-kelly/
  30. https://www.idb.org/our-team/db-executive-fellows/
  31. https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace/videos/former-commander-of-air-combat-command-gen-mark-d-kelly-usaf-ret-on-what-the-us-/1482775999404769/
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