Colonel Mark “Hulk” Kasayka is Commander, Cadet Group Three, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado. As Commander, he is responsible for U.S. Air Force.

Colonel Kasayka received his commission from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1999, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Management. He has served in the Nuclear and Missile Operations career field with experience as an instructor, evaluator, weapons and tactics officer, nuclear control orders war planner, standardization and evaluation chief and Presidential Strike Advisor. He is a master missileer with more than 250 alerts operating the Minuteman III weapon system. Colonel Kasayka has commanded at the squadron level.

Prior to the start of his current position, Colonel Kasayka served as the 608 AOC Deputy Commander, where he was responsible for overseeing the unit’s ability to plan, direct, command, control, monitor, and assess long-range bomber assurance, deterrence, and global strike missions while integrating multi-domain capabilities to deliver operational and strategic effects for U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) and Geographic Combatant Commanders.

Joint Air and Space Operations Senior Staff Course, Hurlburt Field, Okaloosa County, Florida (2020)

Air War College, by correspondence (2014)

Nuclear Weapons Effects, Policy and Proliferation Certificate Program, Air Force Institute of Technology, Dayton, Ohio (2013)

Air Force Fellow, Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration, Washington, D.C. (2013)

Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence (2009)

United States Air Force Weapons Instructor Course, Nellis Air Force Base, Las Vegas, Nevada (2007)

Top Third Graduate, Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, Alabama (2005)

MBA in Aviation, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Florida (2004)

Top Graduate, ICBM Initial Qualification Training, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Santa Barbara County, California (2001)

Bachelor of Science in Management, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado (1999)

Commander, Cadet Group Three, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado (June 2022–Present)

Deputy Commander, 608th Air Operations Center, Barksdale Air Force Base, Bossier Parish, Louisiana (Sept. 2021–June 2022)

Chief, Strategy Division, 608th Air Operations Center, Barksdale Air Force Base, Bossier Parish, Louisiana (July 2020–Sept. 2021)

Deputy Commander, 495th Fighter Group, Shaw Air Force Base, Sumter, South Carolina (July 2019–July 2020)

Deputy Group Commander, 341st Operations Group, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Cascade County, Montana (June 2018–July 2019)

Commander, 10th Missile Squadron, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Cascade County, Montana (June 2016–June 2018)

Chief of Safety, 341st Missile Wing, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Cascade County, Montana (July 2015–June 2016)

Operations Officer, Joint Staff, Deputy Director for Nuclear Homeland Defense, and Current Operations, Nuclear Operations Division, Procedures and Assessment Branch (May 2014–July 2015)

Presidential Strike Advisor, Operations Team One, National Military Command Center, Joint Staff, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. (July 2013–May 2014)

Air Force Fellow, Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. (June 2012–July 2013)

Chief, ICBM Standardization and Evaluation, 91st Operations Group, Minot Air Force Base, Ward County, North Dakota (June 2010–June 2012)

Assistant Operations Officer, ICBM Weapons and Tactics, 91st Operations Support Squadron, Minot Air Force Base, Ward County, North Dakota (Jan. 2009–June 2010)

Chief, ICBM Weapons and Tactics, Headquarters 20 AF, F. E. Warren Air Force Base, Cheyenne, Wyoming (June 2007–Jan. 2009)

Student, USAF Weapons Instructor Course, Nellis Air Force Base, Las Vegas, Nevada (Jan. 2007–June 2007)

Chief, Future Operations Programs and Chief, Standardization/Evaluation Policy, Headquarters 20 AF, F. E. Warren Air Force Base, Cheyenne, Wyoming (Nov. 2004–Jan. 2007)

Deputy Missile Combat Crew Commander and Missile Combat Crew Commander 742d Missile Squadron; Evaluator Deputy Missile Combat Crew Commander and Senior Evaluator Combat Crew Commander, 91st Operations Group, Minot Air Force Base, Ward County, North Dakota (Feb. 2001–Nov. 2004)

Student, Officer Space Prerequisite Training/ICBM Operations Training, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Santa Barbara County, California (Feb. 2000–Feb. 2001)

Defense Meritorious Service Medal

Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters

Air Force Commendation Medal

Joint Service Achievement Medal

Air Force Achievement Medal

Joint Meritorious Unit Award

Combat Readiness Medal with oak leaf cluster

National Defense Service Medal with bronze star

Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

Humanitarian Service Medal

Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters and ‘N’ Device

Career Field Information

Master Missile Badge with Operations Designator

Senior Space Badge

Minuteman III Weapon System

Dates of Promotion

Colonel (Dec. 2020)

Lieutenant Colonel (Jan. 2015)

Major Aug.(2009)

Captain (Dec. 2003)

First Lieutenant (Dec. 2001)

Second Lieutenant (Dec. 1999)