Former Harwood man promoted to colonel

Col. Mark Carrier

Lt. Colonial Mark C. Carrier has been promoted to the rank of colonel in the U.S. Air Force.

His promotion became effective in February.

Carrier currently serves as chief of combat operations at the 601st Air and Space Operations Center, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida.

He oversees the daily operations of all fighter, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, aerial refueling and rotary wing aircraft designated for the defense of the Continental United States.

In addition, Carrier oversees the radar, data link, and communications network that provide integrated threat warning and assessment to North American Aerospace Defense Command and United States Northern Command. Colonel Carrier also has 2,600 flight hours as an E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) Air Weapons Officer, including over 400 combat hours over Afghanistan, Iraq and Kosovo.

Carrier is the grandson of Jim Carrier of Harwood and the late Martha Carrier.