MSgt Robert Bean had an impressive 28-year military career beginning in 1986 with the Utah Air National Guard. He served in various roles including heavy equipment operator, boom operator, command post operator, and logistics specialist. Some of his accomplishments include building infrastructure in Alaska, Guam, and Jamaica, participating in numerous military operations around the world, establishing command procedures in Kyrgyzstan after 9/11, and receiving three citations from the White House. He demonstrated excellence and dedication throughout his career, setting a strong example of the Air Force's core values.

1. Military Summary of Master Sergeant Robert Bean
( Presented at his retirement ceremony, 26 March 2015 )
MSgt Bean began his military career by joining the Utah Air National Guard on Feb 08, 1986. He
graduated from Basic Military Training as a member of Honor Flight 3711, and finished his career in
like fashion by serving honorably in all aspects of his assigned duties.
He started as a Heavy Equipment Operator in the 151st Civil Engineering Squadron. While assigned to
this unit his duties ranged from building roads in Alaska to repairing barracks in Guam. His unit had the
privilege, and truly enjoyed spending the night on Midway Island during their trip to Guam. While
deployed on a Humanitarian Mission he was able to assist in the building of three separate schools for
children in the rural mountains of Jamaica.
In January of 1992, MSgt Bean was accepted to fill a position as Boom Operator in the 191st Air
Refueling Squadron. He then began his one year training to get his wings. During the next three years
he traveled to 15 different countries fulfilling unit mission requirements of air refueling, hauling cargo,
transporting passengers, and manning alert tours. He also participated in Operation Northern Watch,
Deny Flight and Decisive Endeavor, and supported NATO allies by helping them remain current in their
air refueling capabilities.
He joined the 151st Air Refueling Wing / Command Post in June of 1996. Upon completion of the
command and control certification process he became a valued member in the nuclear community of
command and control operations. While assigned to the command post he served as a Console
Operator, Equipment Custodian, Records Management Custodian, Scheduler, Training NCOIC, and
NCOIC of Command and Control Operations. In May of 1999 he participated in Operation Allied
Force. While deployed to Souda Bay, Naval Air Station, Crete, he established and provided Secure
Voice procedures to both the aircrew members and controllers to assist in daily flying operations.
After the terrorist attacks in September of 2001 he and SMSgt Ron McCabe, were deployed in March of
2002 to participate in Operation Enduring Freedom by standing up the Command Post and developing
operational procedures for the newly formed 376th Air Expeditionary Wing in Manas, Kyrgyzstan.
During his time there he improved the notification procedures between the Air Force and the Red Cross
representatives in Uzbekistan greatly increasing the ability for notification between family and deployed
military members. His efforts there contributed to the success of over 1,000 fighter, airlift, tanker, and
transient aircraft sorties. He also assisted in the successful tour of Secretary of Defense, Donald
Rumsfeld’s visit to the troops at Ganci Air Base.
MSgt Bean was the first controller in the Utah Air National Guard to score a 100% on the Nuclear
Command and Control closed book test, given during a Nuclear Operational Readiness Inspection. He
has received three citations from the White House for his outstanding support of Presidential and Vice
Presidential visits to Utah. In addition to MSgt. Bean’s large scale of accomplishments he was able to
achieve his Associate Degrees in Emergency Management, and in Aviation Operations from the
Community College of the Air Force.
In October of 2012 he joined the 151st Logistics Readiness Squadron, Material Management section.
During his service there he put to use the skills and abilities which he developed over his military career
greatly contributing to the improvement of squadron operations. His dedication to the work and
enthusiasm to help wherever needed has been a positive influence to everyone he comes in contact with.
He truly takes to heart the Air Force Core Values of “Integrity first, Service before Self, and Excellence
in all we do”. His efforts will be greatly missed in the Logistics Readiness Squadron, and at the Utah
Air National Guard as a whole.