Lt Col Mark E. Berent

Lt Col Mark E. Berent, USAF (Ret), born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, passed away on September 29, 2025 at the remarkable age of 93. He is leaving behind a legacy of service, achievement, and adventure. He graduated from Cretin High School in St. Paul, Minnesota, attended St. Thomas College, and later earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Arizona State University through the Air Force Institute of Technology program. 

Lt Col Berent began his distinguished Air Force career as an enlisted man before entering the aviation cadet program. His pilot training took him to Columbus Air Force Base in Mississippi and Laredo Air Force Base in Texas, where he mastered the T-6, T-28, and T-33 aircraft, followed by the F-86 Sabre Jet at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. Over his 23 years of active duty, which concluded with his retirement in 1974, he flew the F-86, the F-100 and the F-4. Throughout his service, he logged over 4,300 hours of flying time, including 1,084 hours on combat missions in the F-100, F-4, C-47, and U-10 across North and South Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. He flew an impressive 30 different aircraft. A decorated combat veteran, Lt Col Berent served three combat tours and completed 452 combat sorties, flying the F-100 at Bien Hoa Air Base in South Vietnam and the F-4 at Ubon Royal Thai Air Base in Thailand. He was later stationed in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, for two years, piloting propeller-driven aircraft and, through an unusual twist in communications, was tasked with running the air war for several weeks from a unique post. 

His career also included two tours with the United States Space and Missile System Organization (SAMSO) in Los Angeles, California, where he worked in the Satellites Control Facility and as a staff developmental engineer for the space shuttle program. Other assignments included serving as Air Attaché to the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Chief of the Test Control Branch at the Air Development and Test Center at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, and as an instructor at the Air Force's Squadron Officer School. 

His decorations include the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with one oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star, Air Medal with twenty-four oak leaf clusters, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Cambodian Divisional Medal, and numerous Vietnam Campaign ribbons. He completed jump school with the Special Forces, earned Cambodian paratrooper wings, and received Cambodian pilot wings. After retiring from the Air Force, he established and directed international operations for the sale of military aircraft spares in Europe and flew a variety of foreign aircraft, including the Swedish Viggen and Royal Air Force Jaguar and Hawk. He was inducted into the Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame in 2012. He founded Berent and Woods Inc., managing aviation-related activities. A prolific writer, Lt Col Berent published numerous articles in Air Force Magazine and the Washington Times, and contributed a monthly pilot/reporter column to the Asian Defense Journal for 18 years. Under the name Berent Sandberg, he co-authored three novels with Peter Sandberg. He also authored five Vietnam air war historical fiction novels—Rolling Thunder, Steel Tiger, Phantom Leader, Eagle Station, and Storm Flight—as part of "The Wings of War" series. His first novel, Rolling Thunder, quickly became a favorite among veterans and aviation enthusiasts, praised for its realism, intensity, and deep respect for those who served. Lt Col Berent exemplified the belief that it is never too late for new endeavors: he published his first novel at age 58, ran his first marathon at age 59, bought a T-6 warbird and flew in airshows at age 64, and participated in his first cattle roundup in Montana at age 74. 

He is survived by his children Michele Berent, Matthew Berent, Danielle Berent, and Jonathan Berent; grandchildren Jessica, Rachel, Megan, Anthony, David, Catherine, Mallory, Sarah, Tyler Stephen and Thomas; and great-grandchildren Adalynn, Leia, and Corbin. Lt Col Mark E. Berent will be remembered for his courage, dedication, positive attitude and zest for life, leaving an indelible mark on all who knew him and a legacy that will inspire generations to come. If you could ask him now how he’s doing, he would reply, with gusto, his usual “Outstanding as always!”. He will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery with military honors on a to be determined date. Please go to https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Funerals/Funeral-Information for details on attending funerals at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flower please make a donation to Honor Flight Network or Air Warrior Courage Foundation.