By Staff Sgt. Kayla D. Rivera
U.S. Marine Corps
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT – Col. Mark Bortnem officially assumed duties as the commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort from Col. Karl Arbogast on Friday, July 7, at the headquarters building aboard the installation.
More than 150 people gathered to witness the Marine Corps tradition of transferring formal authority from one commander to the next. The ceremony was attended by a host of Marine Corps leaders including Brig. Gen. Walker Field, commanding general, Marine Corps Recruiting Depot Parris Island and Eastern Recruiting Region and Col. Adolfo Garcia Jr., commander, Marine Corps Installations East-Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, and members of the local community.
During the ceremony, the incoming and outgoing commanders spoke to their hopes for the future of MCAS Beaufort and the valuable partnerships that keep the mission going.
“I’m humbled for the opportunity to lead and I’m grateful to return to the Lowcountry. Although this is not where I was born, in many ways it’s like being home,” Bortnem said. “I’m determined to integrate myself into Team Beaufort and keep this place remaining as the best air station in the Marine Corps, working around the best folks, and with the best Marines.”
In a message to his replacement, Arbogast expressed his support.
“You are really going enjoy your time here, and I wish you the best. You are obviously the right man for the job.”
Arbogast spent considerable time thanking leaders, members of the community, and staff for their support during his tour of duty mentioning many of them by name.
In reflecting on his term, Arbogast added, “We’ve been here for three years. When we stand up and think about our time in Team Beaufort, we’re going to cherish this, every moment. We will always remain faithful to this awesome place, and all the wonderful people that we have met here.”
Overseeing the change of command was the ninth commander of Marine Corps Installations East – Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Col. Adolfo Garcia Jr.
“This is a very special day, and this is a very special command,” Garcia Jr. said. “You must have leadership because you have to establish a vision. You have to build a team. You have to fight for limited resources. You have to look towards a future, and what’s happening now. Col. Arbogast, you’ve done that very well.”
For Col. Bortnem’s full biography, visit https://www.beaufort.marines.mil/Leaders/Article/524685/colonel-mark-d-bortnem.
