Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort has a new commander, two weeks after the former commander was relieved of his duties.
Col. Trevor J. Felter assumed command Tuesday morning. He replaces Col. Mark Bortnem, who was dismissed April 15, 2025, for “loss of trust and confidence” in his ability to command. Bortnem is remaining in the area. He was reassigned to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in Port Royal.
Specific reasons for Bortnem’s removal were not given. He took command in July of 2023. Commanders typically serve three-year tours.
Felter, a Tiffin, Ohio, native, has served in the Marine Corps for over 30 years and has extensive operational and leadership experience across the aviation community, the Marines said. He most recently served as the assistant chief of staff for government and external affairs at Marine Forces Command in Norfolk, Virginia, where he managed aviation operations, service-retained force readiness and training and exercise portfolios.
With a nickname of “Fightertown East,” MCAS Beaufort is the home of Marine Aircraft Group 31 and the F-35B Lightning II, with fighter jets daily flying over the region as they train. The noise is sometimes referred to as “the sound of freedom.” MCAS Beaufort’s critical role is supporting Marine Corps aviation and ensuring the readiness of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing in Cherry Point, North Carolina.
The air station is transitioning from the F/18 Hornet to the supersonic F-35Bs whose technological advances include improved warfare technology and the capability for vertical landings and short takeoffs from amphibious assault ships.
Felter enlisted in the Marine Corps in September 1994 and attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. In 1997, he was selected to attend the Naval Academy Preparatory School in Newport, R.I. He was commissioned in 2002. He completed primary flight training and advanced jet training before earning designation as a naval aviator in August 2005.
Felter served as an instructor pilot with VMAT-203, a Marine attack squadron that trained naval aviators to fly the AV-8B Harrier. He later assumed duties as the executive officer of VMA-231, a Marine fixed wing attack squadron that consists of AV-8B Harrier jets.
His overseas service includes stints in the Horn of Africa and Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom, which was the first stage of the War in Afghanistan and the larger-scale Global War on Terrorism. He also deployed to Bahrain in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, conducting combat operations in Iraq and Syria.
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