Top operator retires after 30 years

Published June 29, 2016
By Douglas Hays
434th ARW public Affairs

GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- In a world of ‘been there, done thats’ Col. Mark Sigler’s tale is that of been there first, done that first.
Sigler, the 434th Operations Group commander, retired in June with more than 30 years of service and a history of doing things first, or being part of an initial group when it comes to military aviation.

“I look at Mark’s career and it is filled with firsts, initial and original,” said retired Col. Doug Schwartz, former 434th Air Refueling Wing commander and retirement official. “Initial cadre to T1A Jayhawk advanced trainer, first cadre of Pacer CRAG conversion to the KC-135 cockpit, first to lead an Air Mobility Command Nuclear Operational Readiness Inspection in a post-Strategic Air Command era, and on, and on.”

Sigler began his career in 1986 where he was commissioned through Air Force ROTC at Loyola University in New Orleans.

He entered undergraduate pilot training at Reese Air Force Base, Texas, and was assigned to the 509th Air Refueling Squadron at Pease Air Force Base, New Hampshire.

In 1992, Colonel Sigler was selected to the Air Education and Training Command's T-1A Jayhawk initial cadre, where he played a significant role in the implementation of the Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training program.

In 1995 he moved to Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, as a KC-135R instructor and evaluator pilot and chief of the wing's Pacer Compass, Radar and Global Positioning Satellite (CRAG) conversion office.

He transferred to the Air Force Reserve's 72nd Air Refueling Squadron at Grissom in 2000, and has served in various leadership and command positions to include squadron and group commander.
He is a command pilot with more than 7,000 flying hours and has deployed in support of Operations Desert Shield, Southern Watch, Northern Watch, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

What his biography indicates is that he has had a very distinguished career, Schwartz said.

“Nobody knows the tanker business better than Mark Sigler,” Schwartz said.

A common phrase uttered by Sigler was ‘life at Grissom is good.’

Addressing the gathering at his ceremony Sigler sought to reflect on his career and answer why he served.

“We don’t talk about it much; we don’t say it enough, but I love my country,” he said.
“I believe in American exceptionalism,” he added. “I think we were the first among many great nations, and that our military is one of the greatest forces of good in the world.

“History is written by noble and fallible people and that’s what we are, but the overall trend line is on the upbeat.”

Upon retirement, Sigler plans to move to California and fly commercially.
In parting, he said the quality of our relationships determine the quality of our life – and that it is truly that simple.

“While you continue to fight, continue to look out for each other,” he added.

The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Men and women from the Hoosier Wing routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission.

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Colonel Sigler retires

Top operator retires after 30 years

Public Affairs Staff