The Senate has confirmed Dale Marks as assistant secretary of defense for energy, installations and environment.
On Tuesday, legislators voted 72-26 in favor of Marks’ appointment to the role. He succeeds Brendan Owens, who led as assistant secretary of defense for energy, installations and environment until January 2025.
Who Is Dale Marks?
Marks currently serves as executive director for the 96th Test Wing at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. In the role, he leads 10,000 military, civilian and contractor personnel and oversees all base operations.
Before his assignment to Eglin AFB, he was appointed as deputy director for strategy, plans, programming and analysis for the National Guard Bureau’s Space Operations, where he contributed to requirements and policy processes that impact the U.S. Space Force, Department of Defense and National Guard organizations.
According to his bio on the Air Force’s website, Marks also held the roles of deputy chief of staff at Continental North American Aerospace Defense Command Region – 1st Air Force at Tyndall AFB and chief of staff for operational sustainment in Kabul, Afghanistan, with the Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan, U.S. Forces – Afghanistan and the NATO-led Resolute Support.
Marks has over two decades of service in both active duty and as National Guard in the Air Force. He has over 3,000 flight hours as a combat fighter pilot of the A-10 Thunderbolt II, F-15E Strike Eagle, AT-38 Talon and F-16 Fighting Falcon.