Col. Arbogast steps aside as Beaufort jet fighter base commander. Here’s who replacing him

U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, home to five fighter jet squadrons, has a new commanding officer.

Col. Mark Bortnem took command from Col. Karl Arbogast Friday.

Bortnem, who grew up in Milford, Michigan, graduated from Ohio State University and the U.S. Air Force’s Air War College. He’s been a Marine for over 30 years, first enlisting in the Marine Corps in 1991. He has served in a wide variety of global locations, including the pacific region, the Middle East, and the Arctic. Bortnem has nearly 3000 flight hours, including more than 500 hours of combat time.

“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,” said Bortnem in a news release.

Arbogast had been the commanding officer for three years.

In reflecting on his term, Arbogast said, “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.”

Arbogast is headed next to the Training and Education Command at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia.

More than 150 people gathered to witness the time-honored 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 in Port Royal and Col. Adolfo Garcia Jr., commander of the Marine Corps Installations East-Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.

MCAS Beaufort is home to five fighter jet squadrons: Four FA/18 Hornet squadrons and one F-35B squadron, and a logistics squadron.