Col. James M. Clark is the commander, 11th Wing, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C. As commander of "The Chief's Own," he is responsible for the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard, U.S. Air Force Band and Arlington Chaplaincy missions, which conduct ceremonial honors worldwide. The 11th Wing also provides security, personnel, logistics, contracting, finance, and infrastructure support to approximately 70 mission partner organizations and more than 18,000 military and civilian employees and their families throughout the National Capital Region. Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling encompasses approximately 1,000-acres and supports a range of military and civilian agency mission partners, including the Defense Intelligence Agency, Marine Helicopter Squadron One, the White House Communications Agency, the Joint Air Defense Operations Center, U.S. Coast Guard Station Washington, and the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard.
Col. 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 subsequently 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.
Prior to his current assignment, Col. Clark was the commander, Detachment 9, Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center, Air Force Material Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., where he was 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.
EDUCATION
1997 Associates of Arts, Munitions Systems Technology, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, 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, Human Services, Capella University, Minneapolis, Minn. 2009 Security Forces Advanced Officer Course, Lackland AFB, Texas
2011 Air Command Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by Correspondence
2013 Master of Science, Homeland Security, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, Calif.
2018 Master of Science, National Resource Strategy, The Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy, Washington, D.C.
2020 Air Force Emergency Operations Center Director Course, Biloxi, Miss.
2025 Safety and Accident Investigation Board President Course
ASSIGNMENTS
- July 2000–May 2003, Flight Commander, 30th Security Forces Squadron, Vandenberg AFB, Calif.
- June 2003–August 2006, Operations Officer & Commander, 85th Security Forces Squadron, Naval Air Station, Keflavik, Iceland
- August 2006–June 2008, Security Forces Staff Officer, Headquarters Pacific Air Forces, Hickam AFB, Hawaii (June 2007- November 2007, Operations Officer, Camp Bucca, Iraq)
- June 2008–August 2011, Commander, 81st Security Forces Squadron, Keesler AFB, Miss.
- August 2011–December 2012, Student, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, Calif.
- January 2013–June 2015, Chief, Security Forces Manpower Branch & Executive Officer to Deputy Chief of Staff, Logistics, Engineering and Force Protection, Headquarters Air Force, Washington, D.C.
- July 2015–July 2017, Commander, 86th Security Forces Squadron, Ramstein AB, Germany
- August 2017–June 2018, Student, The Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy, Washington, D.C.
- July 2018–July 2020, Branch Chief, Mission Assurance & Assessments, Joint Security Office, Tampa, Fla.
- July 2020–July 2022, Commander, 11th Mission Support Group, Washington, D.C.
- July 2022–June 2025, Commander, Detachment 9, Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center, Scott AFB, Ill.
- June 2025-present, Commander, 11th Wing and Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C.
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
- June 2007–November 2007, Operations Officer, Camp Bucca, Iraq, as a captain
- July 2018–July 2020, Branch Chief, Mission Assurance & Assessments, Joint Security Office, Tampa, Fla., as a lieutenant colonel
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
Bronze Star Medal
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant June 10, 2000
First Lieutenant June 10, 2002
Captain June 10, 2004
Major May 1, 2010
Lieutenant Colonel December 1, 2013
Colonel February 1, 2020
(Current as of June 2025)