Mark H. Berry

Description:

Major General Mark H. Berry, Arkansas Air National Guard, Retired, Ozark. General Berry served four combat tours and his awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, five Meritorious Service Medals, the Joint Services Commendation Medal, eight Air Force Commendation Medals and the Air Force Achievement Medal and the first Air Force General Officer to be appointed Adjutant General of the Arkansas National Guard and the first military officer to be appointed to the grade of Lieutenant General by the Governor of Arkansas. General Berry retired following forty-five years service.

With more than 21 years active duty and 24 years with the Arkansas National Guard, General Berry served in numerous assignments to include Presidentially Directed Special Projects and Programs with the Department of Energy and Department of Defense Special Projects and Testing, Nevada Test Site (Area 51). Air Operations Officer of the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul South Korea. Assistant Professor Air Force Officer Training School, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas. Four combat deployments in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and New Dawn. He also served in 12 foreign countries. 

Major General Mark H. Berry’s narrative for The Legion Of Merit reads: “Colonel Mark H. Berry distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the United States Air Force as Commander, 188th Maintenance Group, Arkansas Air National Guard, from 2 September 2008 to 5 May 2012. The selfless leadership, exemplary foresight, and tireless work ethic consistently exhibited by Colonel Berry, resulted in significant contributions to the combat capability and overall mission effectiveness of the 188th Fighter Wing.  His demanding, high standards of excellence contributed to the safest, most mission-effective flying years on record in the Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve. Under Colonel Berry’s astute direction, the 188th Fighter Wing maintained a mission capable rate of 70.7 percent and a 61.6 percent fully mission capable rate, both of which were tops among all Air National Guard A-10 units. His savvy leadership and insight were paramount during the conversion of 21 combat aircraft from the A-10A to the A-10C while meeting rigorous flying schedule demands to support combat capability after numerous arduous depot-level precision engagement modifications were accomplished. Colonel Berry’s diligence and unparalleled management skills facilitated the largest aircraft conversion in the Air National Guard history, one month early, despite facing months of limited sortie availability due to fleet-wide wing cracks which grounded most A-10’s worldwide. As the longest sitting Combat Air Forces Maintenance Group Commander, he directly contributed to the accumulation of more than 38,000 flying hours and nearly 26,000 combined F-16 and A-10 combat and training sorties without a maintenance attributable aircraft mishap. The superior initiative, outstanding leadership, and personal endeavor displayed by Colonel Berry reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.”

More Info:

Major General Mark H. Berry, Arkansas Air National Guard, Retired, Ozark.  General Berry served four combat tours and his awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, five Meritorious Service Medals, the Joint Services Commendation Medal, eight Air Force Commendation Medals and the Air Force Achievement Medal and the first Air Force General Officer to be appointed Adjutant General of the Arkansas National Guard and the first military officer to be appointed to the grade of Lieutenant General by the Governor of Arkansas.  General Berry retired following forty-five years service.