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Marines

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MCAS Beaufort Leaders
Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort Leaders
In June 2020, Colonel Karl R. Arbogast assumed command of Marine Corp Air Station Beaufort. He has accumulated over 3000 flight hours in Naval aircraft. His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with three Gold Stars, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Gold Star and Combat Distinguishing Device, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.
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MCAS Beaufort Commanding Officer
Colonel Karl R. Arbogast

Colonel Arbogast, a native of Iowa City, IA, enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve in the Delayed Entry Program in February 1989 and reported to MCRD San Diego in July 1989.  After completing recruit training, he reported to the School of Infantry and graduated on 24 January, 1990 as a 0311 Rifleman.  Upon graduation, he was assigned to Company E, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines in Des Moines, Iowa where he served until December 1993 participating in Operation Desert Storm.  Colonel Arbogast graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science in Forestry and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant on 28 December 1993.

Upon graduation from the Basic School in Quantico Virginia, Second Lieutenant Arbogast reported to Naval Air Station Pensacola for Naval Aviation Training.  First Lieutenant Arbogast was designated a Naval Aviator on May 23, 1997 and then reported to HMT-303 at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Camp Pendleton, California for initial training in the UH-1N helicopter.

In December 1997, Captain Arbogast was assigned to HMLA-267.  During this tour, he served in the Operations Department as a Schedule Writer, Flight Officer and Assistant Operations officer, and in the Maintenance Department as the Tool Room and HAZMAT OIC.  In November 1998, Captain Arbogast deployed with HMLA-267(-) to Okinawa, Japan for the Unit Deployment Program until May 1999.  Captain Arbogast graduated from Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course in October 2000 and deployed with HMLA-267 Det A, HMM-268 REIN, 11th MEU and served as the UH-1N Weapons and Tactics Instructor.  During these deployments, Captain Arbogast participated in humanitarian assistance operations in East Timor and participated in exercises Beach Crest, KITP, Eagar Mace and Infinite Moonlight.

In July 2002, Captain Arbogast was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines as the Battalion Landing Team Air Officer.  During this period, he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as part of the 15th MEU.

In July 2003, Major Arbogast was assigned to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One at MCAS Yuma, AZ as a UH-1N WTI.  Major Arbogast initially served in the UH-1N Division and was subsequently assigned to the newly created Air Officer Department to develop the first Marine Corps Air Officer Course.  Major Arbogast served as the Air Officer Department Head and the Assault Support Department Head during this tour. 

Major Arbogast returned to HMLA-267 in July 2006 where he served as the Tactics Officer.  In December 2007, Major Arbogast was assigned as the HMLA-267 Det C Officer in Charge and deployed with HMM-165 (REIN), 15th MEU.  During this period, he served as the MEU ACE Operations Officer until November 2008.  Upon return from the deployment, Major Arbogast was assigned as the HMLA-267 Executive Officer.

In August 2009, Major Arbogast reported to Headquarters Marine Corps, Aviation Expeditionary Enablers (APX) and served as the Action Officer for the Aviation Command Working Committee and the Immediate Cargo Unmanned Aerial System (KMAX).

In June 2012, Lieutenant Colonel Arbogast returned to MCAS Yuma and was assigned as Commanding Officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron.  In June 2014, Lieutenant Colonel Arbogast relinquished Command and was assigned to III MEF as the Deputy G35, JTF-505 Lead Planner, KTO Lead Planner and Philippines Lead planner including acting as lead planner for JTF-505 response in support of Operation Sahayogi Haat, the US response to the earthquake in Nepal in April, 2015.

In June 2016, Lieutenant Colonel Arbogast was assigned to the 31st MEU as the Executive Officer completing two patrols in the PACOM Area of Responsibility.

In July 2017, Colonel Arbogast was assigned to the Joint Staff J8 as the Joint Capabilities Division Chief until May 2020. 

In June 2020, Colonel Arbogast assumed command of Marine Corp Air Station Beaufort. 

Colonel Arbogast has accumulated over 3000 flight hours in Naval Aircraft.  His personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with three Gold Stars, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Gold Star and Combat Distinguishing Device, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.

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