[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 16 (Monday, January 29, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E85]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO NATHAN DILLER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 29, 2024

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Nathan Diller for 
his exemplary dedication and service to our nation. Over the past year, 
Nate has been a key asset to the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. 
Prior to this, Nate--known then as Colonel Diller--had a distinguished 
career as an Airman in our United States Air Force.
  A proud Texan and graduate of the Air Force Academy, Nate received 
his commission as a United States Air Force officer in 2000. A pilot 
with over 2,800 flying hours. Nate flew over 60 different aircraft, was 
a combat F-16 instructor, instructed at the Air Force Test Pilot 
School, and held many other positions that bolstered the careers of 
countless Airmen.
  After receiving his wings, Nate was deployed to the 36th Fighter 
Squadron at Osan Air Base in South Korea where he was responsible for 
the Korean Peninsula F-1 6 war plans. In 2006, he was identified as the 
top F-16 wingman at the squadron. Due to his success with this 
important mission, Nate was then sent to Shaw Air Force Base. Here he 
served as the executive officer to the Commander, was a flight 
instructor, led flights for theater security package deployments, and 
engaged in operational flight tests with the United States Army. Yet 
again. Nate showed his ability to excel, being named the top company 
grade officer of the 20th Fighter Wing.
  Next, Nate was sent to his hardship tours--the Defense Language 
Institute in Monterey, California, and the French Test Pilot School in 
Toulouse and Itres, France. Here, Nate gained language and flight 
experience with a close ally in a wide array of aircraft.
  After barely making it through these assignments, Nate dove headfirst 
into assignments that would shape the rest of his career as an Airman. 
In the following years, Nate was assigned to the Air Force's Science 
Advisory Board, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the 
Joint Staff, the White House Office of Science and Technology, the 
Department of Defense Strategic Capabilities Office, the Air Force's 
Rapid Capabilities Office, and later as the proud Director of AFWERX. 
At AFWERX, he was the lead change agent for the Air Force and was 
responsible for the largest small business innovation budget in the 
federal government.
  Over these years, he also somehow found time to lead flight tests and 
operations for the F-35 and the F-16, serve as the commander of the 
586th Flight Test Squadron, and work on many classified programs. He 
also is perhaps the most educated person I have come to know. His 
degrees include bachelor's degrees in Physics and Humanities from the 
United States Air Force Academy, a master's degree in Aeronautics and 
Astronautics from the Massachusetts Institute ofTechnology, a master's 
degree in International Security and Political Economy from Harvard, a 
master's degree in Flight Test Engineering from Institut Superieur de 
I'Aeronautique et de l'Espace, and a master's degree from the National 
Defense University at the Eisenhower School.
  In 2023, Colonel Diller departed the Air Force and became a 
Professional Staff Member on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. 
In this role, Nate used what he learned as an Airman to craft an 
innovation strategy adopted by the House of Representatives in the 
Fiscal Year 2024 Defense Appropriations Bill. Because of Nate, the 
entire Department of Defense is increasingly focused on the challenges 
facing our Nation and is more appropriately resourced to address them.
  On a personal note, Nate has become a trusted advisor, staffer, and 
friend to the Members of the Subcommittee on both sides of the 
political aisle and all the staff. Nate's deep knowledge of just about 
every issue has been a tremendous addition to the Subcommittee. As Nate 
departs to pursue other goals, I am confident that ``past will prove 
future'' and Nate will continue his legacy of service.
  On behalf of a grateful Nation, I join my colleagues today in 
recognizing and commending Nate for his service to our country, and we 
wish him all the best.

                          ____________________