Union Grad Retires from the Air Force
By Garrett Christensen on Friday, July 21st, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
UNION – City of Union native and Union High School Graduate Axel Clark officially retired from the United States Air Force on June 30th following a twenty-year career. Axel’s wife, Nana Wilberforce, wrote the following summary of his career, which was provided to Elkhorn Media Group by Axel’s father, Dennis:
“After two decades of distinguished service in the Air Force, Lt Col Axel Clark retired on June 30th. The Union High School alum has made a name for himself in the space and federal acquisition sectors.
In his latest assignment, Lt Col Clark served as the Deputy Chief of Contracts, Space Sensing Directorate, Space Systems Command, at the Los Angeles Air Force Base, California. Leading a team of 26 contract professionals, he played a pivotal role in establishing procurement strategies for a contract portfolio worth $23.7 billion delivering persistent space sensing capabilities critical for America’s defense.
Over the course of his illustrious career, Clark held several key positions, including squadron commander, executive officer, assignments officer, acquisition staff officer, and warranted procuring contracting officer for major defense acquisition programs. He gained private sector experience working as a construction contract manager at Intel Corporation, through the Air Force’s Education with Industry program.
His service record is decorated with deployments in support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM, NEW DAWN, ENDURING FREEDOM, INHERENT RESOLVE, and FREEDOM’S SENTINEL.
Commissioned from the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), Detachment 695, University of Portland in 2003, Clark attributes his leadership skills to his early involvement in FFA and 4-H during his time at Union High School.
Born to Dennis Clark and Jamie Carlson-Lauer, Clark shares his life with his wife Nana Wilberforce, their daughter Jemi, son Kwame, and his parents’ spouses, Karen Clark and Mike Lauer, along with his mother-in-law, Adjoa Dennis.
Dennis retired from teaching agriculture at Union High School. Jamie retired from a variety of high school teaching and counseling roles in Union and Klamath counties. Axel and his family plan to remain in Los Angeles. He will be transitioning from military service to a new career in software engineering. This Union native’s stellar career is a testament to his dedication and leadership.”
