Colonel Beierle reflects on career

Published June 13, 2013
By Brandice J. O'Brien
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Surely "Pumpkinhead" would be proud, Team Tinker is certainly pleased.

On June 14, Col. Mark Beierle will retire from a distinguished 27-year Air Force career, of which four years were spent here. Though he is currently an Air Force Lifecycle Management Center special assistant, he has also served as the former Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center 327th Aircraft Sustainment Wing commander, director of the OC-ALC Aerospace Sustainment Directorate, acting vice commander of the former OC-ALC and acting director of the AFLCMC Propulsion Directorate.

"Colonel Beierle has been an exceptional leader at Tinker and across his Air Force career," said Lt. Gen. Bruce Litchfield, Air Force Sustainment Center commander. "Mark was instrumental in setting up the Air Force Materiel Command reorganization for success. His extensive background in Air Force acquisition and product support has resulted in increased capability and readiness for our front line weapon systems.
"In addition, he is a trusted advisor for senior leaders at all levels," the general said. "There is no doubt we are a better Air Force because of his leadership and dedication. We wish Mark and Becky all the best as they open the next chapter of life."

Colonel Beierle's interest in the Air Force began accidentally when he was a high school junior in Vermont. One day, as the 17-year-old sat in the school library, his guidance counselor affectionately known as "Pumpkinhead" gave him a "summer scientific seminar" pamphlet for a program offered at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Very similar to today's STEM or Science, Technology, Engineering and Math programs, the scientific seminar encouraged those careers. The pamphlet advertised a program paid for by the Air Force, sans initial travel expenses.

"I applied, got accepted and had a great time with the studies, the people and the school captured me," Colonel Beierle said. "Much to my mother's chagrin, I moved 2,000 miles across country and went to the United States Air Force Academy."

When Colonel Beierle graduated the academy, he said his goals were different than his peers. He wasn't pilot qualified, so he didn't feel the pressure to fly. Instead he was excited about pursuing the engineering and acquisition career field.

"I stayed in the Air Force because I always enjoyed what I was doing and it never gave me a reason to leave," he said. "It always gave me a new challenge and something exciting to do."

Through the years his goal cemented into a desired position - the colonel said he wanted to be a system program office director.

"That's the coolest job," he said. "You are responsible for the engineering and logistics. You are the engineering authority for that aircraft or weapons system and it's an incredible responsibility, but in my view the pinnacle."

That goal came to fruition in July 2007 when Colonel Beierle commanded the 508th Aircraft Sustainment Group and F-16 Fighting Falcon System Program manager at the former Ogden Air Logistics Center at Hill Air Force Base, Utah.

Two years later, Colonel Beierle ventured to the Sooner State to take on new challenges including the shortage of war-ready engines when he was the 327th ASW commander. Later, he tackled Lean and continuous process improvement projects.

"When I first got to Tinker, then Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center Commander Maj. Gen. David Gillett told me, 'Here at Tinker we're dedicated to that, so get your game on,'" Colonel Beierle said. "I thought I was pretty familiar with it and I had an idea. But, my understanding was about second-grade level and Tinker was already doing graduate-level work. I was surprised at what I didn't know and impressed at what I saw going on and how much I had to catch up."

But, he did and Tinker has excelled at Lean and CPI including the KC-135 Stratotanker programmed depot maintenance line, B-1 High Velocity Maintenance program and F108 engine work area.

Despite Tinker's accomplishments and his own personal achievements, Colonel Beierle said when reminiscing about his Air Force career, it's the people he will miss the most.

"I really enjoy interacting with people and talking with them about their professional lives, and if there's something I think I could leave behind, I hope it might be a fingerprint on some of the folks here," he said, "if that's true, how can you not call that a great accomplishment?"

And, they will miss him.

"Colonel Beierle is one of the most brilliant officers in our Air Force," said Ross Marshall, AFSC executive director. "I've been fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with Mark a couple of times during our careers. I frequently sought out Colonel Beierle's advice while he served as the F-16 system program director at Hill AFB and as the Aerospace Sustainment Wing director here at Tinker.

"I've watched how Mark led people, especially junior officers, and have been amazed at his ability to influence others for good," he said. "Colonel Beierle will be missed but there are many that will achieve great things because of what he taught them; Godspeed to Mark, Becky, and their family as they move on to a new chapter in their lives."

All are invited to Colonel Beierle's retirement ceremony at 10 a.m. on June 14 at the Tinker Club.