A senate RESOLUTION

TO HONOR AND RECOGNIZE Colonel Mark D. Bortnem FOR HIS MANY YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE WITH the United states marine corps.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are pleased to recognize Colonel Mark D. Bortnem for his dedication to protecting the freedom, democracy, and security of our State and nation; and

Whereas, Colonel Bortnem is a native of Milford, Michigan. He is an alumnus of The Ohio State University, where he earned his bachelor's degree in political science, and the United States Air Force's Air War College, where he earned his master's degree in strategic studies; and

Whereas, Colonel Bortnem began his career in the United States Marine Corps in 1991. He served as a Supply Administration and Operations Specialist in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, before being selected for the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program. From 1994 to 1998, Colonel Bortnem attended The Ohio State University, where he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant, ending his time as an enlisted Marine and beginning his career as an officer; and

Whereas, from 2001 to 2002, Colonel Bortnem attended flight school in Pensacola, Florida. He graduated with distinction and was designated as a Naval Flight Officer in 2002. He then joined Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 332, where he deployed several times, including to Al-Asad Airbase, Iraq, flying combat missions in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM; and

Whereas, from 2006 to 2009, Colonel Bortnem completed pilot conversion training at Naval Air Stations Corpus Christi and Kingsville. He again graduated with distinction and was designated as a Naval Aviator. He served as a Flight Instructor as part of the Selectively Retained Graduate program; and

Whereas, Colonel Bortnem was assigned to MCAS Miramar from 2010 to 2014. There, he completed F/A-18 pilot training and was assigned as the Executive Officer with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 and Operations Officer with Marine Aircraft Group Eleven. During this time, Colonel Bortnem deployed twice to Japan and achieved all advanced qualifications as an F/A-18 pilot; and

Whereas, he was next assigned to Cold Lake, Alberta, Canada, where he served as an Exchange Officer with the Royal Canadian Air Force. During this time, Colonel Bortnem deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE, serving as both the head of Standardization and Evaluation and also as Officer-In-Charge. Upon his return, he was assigned as Commanding Officer of 401 Tactical Fighter Squadron, becoming the first United States officer to command a Canadian squadron; and

Whereas, in 2016, Colonel Bortnem was assigned to Camp Smith, Hawaii, where he was the Marine Forces Pacific Air Officer and Director of Aviation Operations. From 2018 to 2020, Colonel Bortnem was the Commanding Officer of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232 in Miramar, California. During this time, he deployed to Japan. His squadron was the recipient of the Robert M. Hanson award as the Strike Fighter Squadron of the Year; and

Whereas, Colonel Bortnem was next assigned as a student to Air War College in Montgomery, Alabama. In 2022, he assumed his current duties as Director of the Commandant of the Marine Corps Safety Division; and

Whereas, Colonel Bortnem has nearly three thousand flight hours, including more than five hundred hours of combat time; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate appreciate the dedicated service of Colonel Bortnem to this great nation.  Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, honor and recognize Colonel Mark D. Bortnem for his many years of distinguished service with the United States Marine Corps.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Colonel Mark D. Bortnem.

----XX----