Relentless Aviator with a 37-Year Tenure in the Skies, Accumulating a Staggering 7,500 Hours as an A-10 Pilot, Hangs Up His Wings in Retirement
Warthog Warrior Bids Farewell: A-10 Pilot John "Karl" Marks Retires After Decades of Service
Saying goodbye to a formidable force, the A-10 Warthog community witnessed its most experienced pilot, Lt. Col. John "Karl" Marks, hang up his aviator shades at Whiteman Air Force Base on August 23. A Kansas City native, Marks leaves behind an impressive career of 37 years and 7,500 hours in the cockpit.
According to a recent press release, wing commander Col. Mike Leonas expressed his admiration for Marks, stating,"I'm glad he's on our side. I wouldn't want to fight him."
Marks' combat credentials are nothing short of astonishing. During his first deployment in the 1991 Gulf War, at the tender age of 26, he and his flight lead, Capt. Eric "Fish" Salomonson, decimated 23 Iraqi tanks over the course of three sorties in one day. Their second sortie, under gloomy, low clouds, and rain, saw them attacking a row of tanks guarded by anti-aircraft artillery (AAA) under the direction of a Marine forward air controller.
"It was eerie," Marks recounted in the 1993 book "Warthog." "'Look, are you coming in or not?'" the Marine controller asked. "Well, when you say something like that to two Hog drivers, it's like a slap in the face. So we went in."
Marks extraordinary career stats include:- 13 deployments, including the Gulf War- 358 combat sorties, including 48 troops-in-contact situations- 1,161 combat hours, during which he fired 39,340 rounds of 30mm ammunition, dropped nearly 350 bombs, and fired 59 Maverick air-to-ground missiles- Fired another 141,500 30mm rounds outside of combat- Received a Distinguished Flying Cross, 18 Air Medals, and 11 Aerial Achievement Medals, among many other citations and awards
Even when not flying, Marks continued to make his mark on the A-10 community as a mentor and instructor to budding pilots. Over two-thirds of his flying hours were spent in the instructor or evaluator roles, ensuring younger pilots were ready for combat.
Retired Lt. Col. Gregg Montijo says, "Karl has been a tremendous positive influence on the A-10 community. His experience and wisdom have been passed to generations of A-10 pilots."
Remarkably, Marks spent his final hours approaching 7,000 hours in the cockpit flying with Lt. Dylan Mackey, the youngest pilot in the squadron, whose father, retired Brig. Gen. "Jimmy Mac" Mackey, shared the skies with Marks decades ago.
"Karl has so many tricks up his sleeve that I'm just trying to hang on and absorb everything I can," Mackey notes. "You are always guaranteed to learn something new flying with him."
As the Air Force prepares to bid farewell to the A-10, it's certain that John "Karl" Marks' legacy will remain a shining example of an aviator's unwavering dedication and expertise. As Montijo put it, "He is living proof that you don't have to wear stars on your shoulders to have long-lasting positive impacts for our Air Force."
- Despite the Air Force preparing to retire the A-10, John "Karl" Marks' legacy of unwavering dedication and expertise in the field of aerospace will endure.
- During his distinguished career, Marks has not only piloted aircraft but has also imparted his wisdom and experience to young aviators, serving as a mentor and instructor in the air force industry.
- With 7,500 hours under his belt, Marks' final hours were spent flying with Lt. Dylan Mackey, a young pilot in the squadron, demonstrating his extensive knowledge and skills in the realm of missiles and air combat.
- A-10 pilots have had the privilege of learning from the remarkable career stats of John "Karl" Marks, a pilot with 13 deployments, over 350 combat sorties, and the firing of 59 Maverick air-to-ground missiles.
- The space force might look to emulate the skills and prowess of retired A-10 pilot, John "Karl" Marks, who has shown himself to be a formidable force in both air and ground combat, using weapons like the Maverick missile and 30mm ammunition on various aircraft.
