2003 Event Speaker:

BG Mark Ness, MN Air National Guard

Brigadier General Mark Ness
MN Air National Guard

Brigadier General Mark Ness was the commander of the Minnesota Air National Guard, St. Paul, Minn. He ensures that units of the Minnesota ANG are organized, manned, equipped, trained and ready to accomplish their assigned state and federal missions. He also serves as the principal advisor to the Adjutant General on matters pertaining to the Minnesota Air National Guard.

General Ness began his military career by receiving a commission through the Officer Training Corps in 1972. General Ness’ first operational assignment was to Pacific Air Forces in 1974 with the 776th Tactical Airlift Squadron at Clark Airbase, Philippines. He served as a current operations officer and flew numerous combat support missions during force evacuations of South Vietnam. He was assigned to the 41st Tactical Airlift Squadron, Pope Air Force Base, N.C., in 1976. He was one of a selected number of all weather aerial delivery system aircraft commanders flying extensively in Europe and the Middle East supporting special forces joint airlift and airborne operations. Since joining the Minnesota Air National Guard, he has participated in major airlift contingency operations including Operation New Life, Operation Babylift, Operation New Arrival, Operation Snow Blow I and II, Operation Desert Shield/Storm, and Operation Restore Hope/Provide Relief. He is a command pilot with more than 5,000 flying hours including 15.5 combat hours.

ASSIGNMENTS:
Oct 1972 - Dec 1973, student undergraduate pilot training, 3630th Student Squadron, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas

Dec 1973 - Sept1975, squadron copilot, C-130E, 776th Tactical Airlift Squadron, Clark Airbase, Phillipines

Sept1975 - May 1977, pilot, C-130E, 41st Tactical Airlift Squadron, Pope Air Force Base, N.C.

May 1977 - Dec 1978, aircraft commander, C-130E, 41st Tactical Airlift Squadron, Pope Air Force Base, N.C.

Dec 1978 - July 1979, inactive status, Headquarters Air Reserve Personnel Center (NARS), Denver, Colo.

July 1979 - Jan 1982, pilot tactical airlift, 109th Tactical Airlift Squadron, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, MN.

Jan 1982 - Sept 1983, instructor pilot, 109th Tactical Airlift Squadron, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, MN.

Sept1983 - June 1984, pilot tactical airlift, 109th Tactical Airlift Squadron, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, MN

June 1984 - April 1990, pilot examiner, 109th Tactical Airlift Squadron, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, MN

April 1990 - Sept 1995, chief pilot tactical airlift, 109th Airlift Squadron, St. Paul, MN

Sept 1995 - Dec 1995, logistics staff officer, Headquarters Minnesota Air National Guard, St. Paul, MN

Dec 1995 - June 1996, air operations staff director, Headquarters Minnesota Air National Guard, St. Paul, MN

June 1996 - Dec 1997, plans and programs officer, Headquarters Minnesota Air National Guard, St. Paul, MN

Dec 1997 - Mar 2001, air operations staff director, Headquarters Minnesota Air National Guard, St. Paul, MN

March 2001 - Retirement, Commander, Headquarters Minnesota Air National Guard, St. Paul, MN

General Ness and Jon Lindstrand at the 2003 Veteran's Day Observance