Lt. Col. Marc A. Stitzel is Commander, 455th Flying Training Squadron, 479th Flying Training Group, 12th Flying Training Wing, Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla. The 455th FTS operates 22 T-6A Texan II aircraft to conduct primary training for all combat systems officer students in the U.S. Air Force. Stitzel is responsible for overseeing the safety, supervision, training, curriculum development and standardization of 455th FTS instructor pilots and students. He also performs flight duties as a T-6A instructor and evaluator to train both students and the 455th FTS instructor pilots.
Stitzel earned his commission through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Miami University in 1995 and his pilot wings at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas in 1997. Prior to his current assignment, he served as the Director of Operations at the 455th Flying Training Squadron, NAS, Fla.
Stitzel has served as an instructor pilot in the T-38A, mission commander, instructor and flight evaluator in the F-16, and an Instructor and flight evaluator in the T-6A. He has deployed in support of operations Southern Watch and Enduring Freedom. Stitzel is a command pilot with more than 3,000 flying hours in the T-37, T-38, AT-38, F-16A/B/C/D, and T-6A.
EDUCATION
1995 Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautics, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
2002 Masters of Science degree in aeronautical science, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
2002 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2002 Advanced Instrument School, Randolph AFB, Texas
2005 Flight Safety Officer School, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
2006 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2012 Air War College, by correspondence, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 1995 - March 1996, Contract Management Officer, 47th Contracting Squadron, Laughlin AFB, Texas 2. March 1996 - March 1997, Student, Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, Laughlin AFB, Texas 3. March 1997 - June 2000, T-38A Instructor Pilot, 87th Flying Training Squadron, Laughlin AFB, Texas 4. July 2000 - September 2000,Student, Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals, Randolph AFB, Texas
5. October 2000 - June 2001, Student, Basic Operational Training Course, Luke AFB, Ariz. 6. July 2001 - April 2004, F-16 Flight Commander, 18th Fighter Squadron, Eielson AFB, Alaska
7. April 2004 - March 2007, F-16 Instructor/Evaluator Pilot, 56th Operations Group, Luke AFB, Ariz. 8. March 2007 - March 2008, Master Air Attack Plan Chief, 7th Air Force, Osan AB, Republic of Korea 9. March 2008 - April 2011, T-6A Instructor/Evaluator Pilot & Wing Executive Officer, Joint Base San Antonio - Randolph, Texas
10. April 2011 - February 2013, Director of Operations, 455th Flying Training Squadron, NAS Pensacola, Fla.
11. February 2013 - Present, Commander, 455th Flying Training Squadron, NAS Pensacola, Fla.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot Flight hours: More than 3,000 Aircraft flown: T-37, T-38, AT-38, F-16A/B/C/D, and T-6A
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters Air Medal Aerial Achievement Medal Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster Air Force Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters Gallant Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and three oak leaf clusters Combat Readiness Medal National Defense Service Medal with bronze star Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Korean Defense Service Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 7, 1995
First Lieutenant May 31, 1997
Captain May 31, 1999
Major October 1, 2005
Lieutenant Colonel August 1, 2010
(Current as of March 2013)