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Col. Beierle takes over 327th ASW

  • Published
  • By Brandice J. Armstrong
  • Tinker Public Affairs
Tinker AFB, Okla. --  Col. Mark Beierle became the new 327th Aircraft Sustainment Wing commander July 29.

Standing before a packed house at the base theater, he succeeded Col. Paul Waugh, who became the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center vice commander. Maj. Gen. David Gillett, OC-ALC commander, presided over the ceremony.

Colonel Beierle came to Tinker from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, where he commanded the 508th Aircraft Sustainment Group and served as the F-16 system program manager.

"I'm very passionate about our mission, our weapon systems and about our support to the field," said Colonel Beierle. "Each and every day we must keep them flying. We must respond to the urgent needs of the field, and at the same time we have to effectively and efficiently continue to modernize and sustain those same fleets. Simultaneously, we must proactively plan for the future, to preserve the health and to enhance the capabilities of the systems.

"But, underpinning all of this is you," Colonel Beierle said. "It will require a combined effort of this talented team to sustain these pre-eminent capabilities around the world."

Col. Waugh served as 327th ASW commander since August 2006.

"Usually when I get a privilege to do these things, I have to say goodbye to somebody who's really done a terrific job and we're going to miss him," General Gillett said. "In this case, we've managed to keep Paul, Cathy and Sabrina close ... he's going to be my vice commander. So Paul, it's great to see this happen and have you continue to be part of the team."

As the aircraft sustainment wing commander, Col. Waugh's unit was the first to certify synthetic Fischer-Tropsch fuels on an aircraft and set the standard for the Air Force. They also established the B-2 Spirit performance-based logistics program, the Department of Defense pilot program and returned several damaged B-1 Lancers to the fight.

"Thank you to the men and women of the 327th Aircraft Sustainment Wing, not only for what you've done for me but for what you do every day to support the warfighter and our nation," Colonel Waugh said. "You truly exemplify the Air Force core values of integrity, service before self and excellence in all you do."