[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 47 (Monday, March 19, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E573-E574]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             TRIBUTE TO LIEUTENANT COLONEL KEVIN P. MASTIN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. THOMAS M. REYNOLDS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 19, 2007

  Mr. REYNOLDS. Madam Speaker, with great pride and delight I rise 
today to honor a highly talented and dedicated airman who has 
entertained thousands with his skill and continues to serve his country 
with expertise, commitment, and leadership.
  Lieutenant Colonel Kevin P. Mastin is a supremely skilled and 
decorated command pilot who has spent thousands of hours in the air, 
many of them twisting, turning and barrel rolling as a United States 
Air Force Thunderbird. Displaying absolute command over his aircraft, 
Colonel Mastin has flown several Thunderbird air shows as the Lead 
Solo, delighting countless onlookers with his precise maneuvers and 
daring routines. His peerless ability and perfect unison with his 
fellow Thunderbirds combine for one powerful, awe-inspiring show in the 
sky.
  But Colonel Mastin is much more than a showman. Born in my district 
in Dansville, NY, Colonel Mastin has led a life of service and deep 
commitment to his country. After graduating from Dansville Central 
School in 1981, Colonel Mastin enlisted in the Air Force. He would 
eventually head off to the West Coast after being assigned to the 92nd 
Munitions Maintenance Squadron at Fairchild Air Force Base in 
Washington State. From there, Colonel Mastin attended Washington State 
University, entering the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps and 
graduating in 1988 as a commissioned officer. He received his wings a 
year later and, after more pilot training, left to fly over the skies 
of Texas at Laughlin Air Force Base as an Instructor Pilot and Flight 
Examiner.
  After honing and developing his aircraft skills further, Colonel 
Mastin became an F-15C Flight Commander at Mountain Home Air Force Base 
in Idaho, flying 46 combat missions in Operations Provide Comfort and 
Southern Watch. Then following an assignment at Tyndall Air Force Base 
in Florida, Colonel Mastin began his run as a Thunderbird, flying in 
the 2000 and 2001 air show seasons. As a Thunderbird stationed at 
Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, he flew as the Opposing Solo and then 
the Lead Solo, showcasing his supreme and expanding aircraft talents.
  Moving on from his Thunderbird tour, Colonel Mastin became Director 
of Operations of the 557th Flying Squadron at the United States Air 
Force Academy in 2002. In July 2004, Colonel Mastin then assumed duties 
as Commander of the 479th Operations Support Squadron at Moody Air 
Force Base in Georgia. Two years later, Colonel Mastin would become 
Deputy Chief of Air Combat Command's Flight Operations Division at 
Langley Air Force Base in Virginia, the position he holds today.
  Devoted to his country, Colonel Mastin is also a devoted family man. 
Together with his wife Joni, Colonel Mastin has two beautiful children, 
daughter Ashley and son Travis.
  Thus, Madam Speaker, in recognition of his tremendous military 
career, his more than 4,200 flying hours, his esteemed military 
decorations, his sense of family and his service to the United States 
of America, I ask that this Honorable Body join me in honoring 
Thunderbird Pilot and Dansville, New York native, Lieutenant Colonel 
Kevin P. Mastin.

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