Mark C. Lee - Early Life

Early Life

Lee was born in Viroqua, Wisconsin and graduated from Viroqua High School in 1970. Lee is an Eagle Scout. He later attended the United States Air Force Academy where he received a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering in 1974. Following pilot training at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, and F-4 Phantom II upgrade at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, Lee spent 2-1/2 years at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, flying F-4’s in the 25th Tactical Fighter Squadron. In 1979, after this assignment, he studied for a master of science degree in mechanical engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he specialized in graphite/epoxy advanced composite materials.

After graduation from MIT in 1980, he was assigned to Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, in the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) Program Office, as the operational support manager. His responsibilities included resolving mechanical and material deficiencies which affected the mission readiness of the AWACS aircraft. In 1982 he returned to flying, upgrading in the F-16 and serving as executive officer for the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing Deputy Commander for Operations, and as flight commander in the 4th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, until his selection as an astronaut candidate.