Mark Swinger

Lieutenant, US Navy

Lieutenant Mark Swinger is a native of Warrenton, Virginia, and graduated from Liberty High School in 1996 where he lettered in golf and football. He attended the University of Delaware where he lettered in gold and graduated in 2000 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Mark then reported to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola for Officer Candidate School and was commissioned an Ensign in September 2000.

Mark completed primary flight training at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas and completed advanced jet training in the T-45 Goshawk with Training Squadron 21 (VT-21) at NAS Kingsville, Texas. He received his wings of gold in July 2002.

In August 2002, Mark reported to Fighter Squadron 101 (VF-101) at NAS Oceana, Virginia for training in the F-14D Super Tomcat. As a student with the "Grim Reapers" Mark was awarded Top Stick and Top Hook awards for overall performance and carrier landing grades.

At the completion of initial training, in the F-14D, Mark remained at NAS Oceana and reported to Fighter Squadron 31 (VF-31) in July of 2003. While assigned to the "Tomcatters", Mark completed a Western Pacific tour aboard the John C. Stennis (CVN 74) and a deployment abarod the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) in support of coalition ground forced in participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom. During his tour, Mark served as Power Plants Branch Officer, Legal Officer, Pilot Training Officer, Avionics and Armament Division Officer and Landing Signals Officer (LSO). Mark received the Tomcatter Trophy Leadership Award and the Association of Naval Aviation George H. W. Bush Pilot of the Year award for 2006.

In April 2006, Mark reported to Strike Fighter Squadron 106 (VF-106) for the transition to the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet. While serving as an Instructor Pilot with the "Gladiators", he was the Assistant Program Development Officer, Senior Officer Syllabus Coordinator, and LSO.

Mark joined the Blue Angels in September 2007. He has accumulated more than 1,300 flight hours and 260 carrier arrested landing. His decorations include two Strike Flight Air Medals, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medals and various personal and unit awards.