Rear Admiral Mark W. Darrah

Rear Adm. Darrah, received his commission through the Aviation Officer Candidate Program and designated a naval flight officer in October 1983.

His operational fleet tours were with Electronic Attack Squadrons (VAQ) 137, 140, 136, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) Five Strike Operations, and as the commanding officer of VAQ-142. Under his leadership, VAQ-142 completed successful combat deployments to Southwest Asia supporting Operations Northern Watch and Southern Watch, and was awarded the Chief of Naval Operations Annual Safety "S" for CY-2001. During these tours he accumulated over 3,200 flight hours and 603 carrier landings.

Ashore, he was assigned to VAQ-129 as an instructor; aide to the Commander, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command; Advanced Education Program at George Mason University; information operations planning officer/liaison to Joint Special Operations Command; NAVAIR/PMA234 Advanced Systems Integrated Product team lead; commanding officer, Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands, Kauai; and, as the F/A-18 and EA-18G program manager from July 2007 to July 2011.

He served as the first EA-18G Growler deputy program manager when the program office was established in January 2003. During his tenure, the EA-18G program received the 2004 Association of Old Crow’s Integrated Product Team Award and 2004 OSD(AT&L) Packard Award Certificate of Achievement. Darrah was also recognized with the 2004 Admiral Perry Award and 2004 Association of Old Crow’s Metropolitan Chapter Lifetime Achievement Award.

Darrah has been awarded the Legion of Merit (3 Awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (4 Strike/Flight), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (4 Awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3 Awards) and various other unit awards.