Col. James M. Clark is the Commander, Detachment 9, Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center, Air Force Materiel Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. He is responsible for synchronizing installation and mission support capabilities, to include oversight, guidance, training and resources in support of 70,000 personnel in 17 wings under Headquarters Air Mobility Command. Additionally, he manages personnel readiness, mission support manpower, financial services and resources, installation engineering, physical security, and base communications plant maintenance for the support of more than $24 billion in facilities and infrastructure at 23 continental U.S. and overseas en route locations in support of both AMC and Air Forces Transportations strategic airlift mission.
Colonel Clark enlisted in the Air Force in 1989, attaining the rank of staff sergeant before being accepted into a Professional Officers Course Program in 1998 at Troy State University. He graduated in May 2000 with honors and received his commission through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps. Since commissioning, he has served in a variety of positions in the Department of the Air Force from base level to Headquarters Air Force. Further, he is fully joint qualified and served in a variety of joint assignments.
Prior to this assignment, Colonel Clark led the 11th Mission Support Group at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington D.C. where he was responsible for providing contracting, logistical, personnel, infrastructure and installation security services and support to the 11th Wing, its 70 mission partner units, and more than 17,000 military and civilian employees and their families throughout the National Capital Region.
EDUCATION
1997 Associate Degree, Munitions Systems Technology, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2000 Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice, Troy State University, Troy, Ala.
2001 Aerospace Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2004 Master of Science, Human Relations, Oklahoma State University, Norman, Okla.
2004 Security Forces Ground Defense Command Course, Lackland AFB, Texas
2005 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2007 Doctor of Philosophy, Criminal Psychology, Capella University, Minneapolis, Minn.
2009 Security Forces Advanced Officer Course, Lackland AFB, Texas
2011 Air Command Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2013 Master of Science, Homeland Security, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, Calif.
2018 Master of Science, National Resource Strategy, Dwight D. Eisenhower, D.C.
2020 Air Force Emergency Operations Center Director Course, Biloxi, Miss.
2025 Safety and Accident Investigation Board President Course
ASSIGNMENTS
1. April 1989 - July 1991, Line Delivery Crewman; 56th Munitions Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz.
2. July 1991 - June 1995, Munitions Inspector, 31st Munitions Squadron, Camp Darby, Italy
3. June 1995 - August 1998, Munitions Ground Safety Officer, 18th Munitions Squadron, Okinawa, Japan
4. August 1998 - July 2000, Student, Reserve Officer Training Corps, Troy State University, Troy, Ala.
5. July 2000 - May 2003, Flight Commander, 30th Security Forces Squadron, Vandenberg AFB, Calif.
6. June 2003 - August 2006, Operations Officer and Commander, 85th Security Forces Squadron, Naval Air Station, Keflavik, Iceland
7. August 2006 - June 2008, Headquarters Pacific Air Forces Security Forces Staff Officer, Hickam AFB, Hawaii
8. June 2008 - August 2011, Commander, 81st Security Forces Squadron, Keesler AFB, Miss.
9. August 2011 - December 2012, Student, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, Calif.
10. January 2013 - June 2015, Chief, Security Forces Manpower Branch and A4 Executive Officer, Headquarters Air Force, Washington, D.C.
11. July 2015 - July 2017, Commander, 86th Security Forces Squadron, Ramstein Air Base, Germany
12. August 2017 - June 2018, Student, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Washington, D.C,
13. July 2018 - July 2020, Deputy Division Chief, Joint Security Office, Tampa, Florida
14. July 2020 - July 2022, 11th Mission Support Group Commander, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington D.C.
15. July 2022 - Present, Commander, Det. 9, Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center, Scott AFB, Ill.
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 2007 - November 2007, Operations Officer, Camp Bucca, Iraq, as a captain
2. July 2018 - July 2020, Branch Chief, Mission Assurance and Assessments, Joint Security Office, Tampa, Florida, as a lieutenant colonel
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit, one oak leaf cluster
Bronze Star
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
1999 Distinguished Graduate, Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Field Training
2000 Summa Cum Laude, Troy State University
2001 30th Security Forces Squadron Company Grade Officer of the Year
2004 85th Group (Wing-equivalent) Company Grade Officer of the Year
2004 Summa Cum Laude, Oklahoma State University
2005 Top-Third Graduate, Squadron Officer School
2005 85th Group (Wing-equivalent) Company Grade Officer of the Year
2008 Headquarters Pacific Air Forces Security Forces Company Grade and Staff Officer of the Year
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant July 2000
First Lieutenant July 2002
Captain June 2004
Major May 2010
Lieutenant Colonel December 2013
Colonel February 2020
(Current as of May 2025)