[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 153 (Thursday, September 21, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E876-E877]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE OF LIEUTENANT COLONEL MARK 
       PITLIANGAS FOR HIS SERVICE TO THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF 
                            REPRESENTATIVES

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MICHAEL WALTZ

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 21, 2023

  Mr. WALTZ. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize Lieutenant Colonel Mark 
Pitliangas of the United States Air Force for his extraordinary 
dedication to duty and service to our Nation. Lieutenant Colonel 
Pitliangas recently transitioned from his assignment as a Deputy 
Director of Congressional Affairs for United

[[Page E877]]

States Transportation Command to fly the KC-46 Pegasus at Joint Base 
McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey as Chief of Safety, 305th Air 
Mobility Wing.
  Lt Col Pitliangas is the first member of his family to serve in our 
U.S. Air Force. Mark attended the United States Air Force Academy and 
was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in 2008 before attending pilot 
training. From there, he went on to fly the mighty C-130 Hercules, 
otherwise known as the ``Four Fans of Freedom'' and honorably served in 
Iraq and Afghanistan as a combat pilot over 3 deployments. Lt Col 
Pitliangas has held numerous leadership positions in a variety of 
units, highlighted by serving as the Director of Operations for the 
386th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron in Kuwait. During that 
time, he enabled 29,000 airlift and air refueling missions directly 
supporting Operations INHERENT RESOLVE and FREEDOM'S SENTINEL flown 
from our busiest airfield in United States Central Command.
  In the winter of 2020, Mark was selected to serve as Deputy Director 
of Congressional Affairs under the United States Transportation 
Command. As the primary liaison between Members of Congress, 
congressional staff, committees, and USTRANSCOM, he provided valuable 
insight and understanding of transportation policies, actions, 
operations, and requirements. His first-hand knowledge of the military, 
its culture, and traditions has been a tremendous benefit to our 
Congressional offices. His dogged determination and exceptional 
coordination enabled the USTRANSCOM Commander to accomplish over 40 
office calls with Members and Staff in preparation for her annual 
posture testimony.
  Mr. Speaker, it has been a pleasure to work with Lieutenant Colonel 
Pitliangas during his time representing the United States 
Transportation Command on Capitol Hill. On behalf of our grateful 
Nation, it is my honor to recognize the selfless service and sacrifice 
of Mark, his wife, Eleni, and their children, Stephanos, George, and 
Nicholas. I wish them the very best as they continue their journey in 
our United States Air Force. They have dedicated their lives to the 
service of our great Nation.
  Aim High . . . Fly, Fight, and Win.

                          ____________________