Chief Brejcha retirement ceremony celebrates his 30 years of service

  • Published
  • By Kenji Thuloweit
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Base leadership and workers came to Hangar 1810 to celebrate with Chief Master Sgt. Mark S. Brejcha during his retirement ceremony July 16.  The 412th Test Wing command chief retired after nearly 30 years of active duty service.

Former 412th Test Wing commander, Brig. Gen. William J. Thornton presided over the ceremony.  Chief Brejcha served the majority of his two-year tenure at Edwards under General Thornton's command. 

As the 412th TW command chief, he served as the principle advisor to the test wing commander on matters concerning morale, welfare, discipline, training, fitness and effective utilization of the wing's 1,100 enlisted personnel. 

Chief Brejcha grew up in Big Rapids, Mich., and entered the Air Force in May 1981. He completed technical training as a heating systems specialist and his background includes various positions within the Civil Engineer community. From 1998 - 2002, Chief Brejcha served as a first sergeant. His deployments include Khobar Towers, Dharan, Saudi Arabia (1996); Tuzla, Bosnia (1999); and Bagram, Afghanistan (2006). He completed a remote assignment at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea in 2005.

Earlier in the week, a retirement luncheon was held for the Chief at Club Muroc, July 14.

The luncheon guests were entertained by several slide shows and photos showing the Chief during various stages of his Air Force career. 

Additionally, Muroc Lake Golf Course hosted a retirement and fundraising tournament in honor of Chief Brejcha July 15.  The "best ball" tournament raised more than $500 for the Airman's Attic.

The retiring Chief said he could not ask for a better final assignment at  Flight Test Nation.

"On behalf of my family, I would like to say thanks for a wonderful tour-of-duty here at Team Edwards. What a great way to end my career; being a part of our nation's past and future, all right here in the Antelope Valley. A personal thanks goes out to the commanders I served with: General Eichhorn, General Thornton and Colonel Gandy. Also, to my teammates on the enlisted side: Command Chiefs Jaren, Thomaston and Sergeant Major Dillree. This truly was the dream team and our base and community thrived because of them. And of course, you cannot mention Team Edwards without mentioning the unprecedented support we receive from the Lancaster CivMil group led by Ms. Aida O'Connor. They make our success sweeter."

"Again, thank you and God Bless you all."

Chief Brejcha will retire to his home town in Michigan and attend Ferris State University full time.