[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 85 (Tuesday, May 19, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E466]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING SENIOR MASTER SERGEANT JASON W. KERSTETTER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. SCOTT PERRY

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 19, 2026

  Mr. PERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Senior Master Sergeant 
Jason W. Kerstetter upon the auspicious occasion of his retirement from 
uniformed service after 32 years of selfless service.
  Originally from Richfield, Pennsylvania, SMSgt Kerstetter first 
enlisted into the United States Army in January 1993. Shortly after his 
high school graduation, he attended Basic and One Station Unit Training 
at Fort Knox, Kentucky, graduating as an M1A1 Abrams Armor Crewman. 
Over the course of his 16-year Army career, he was tasked with various 
assignments, serving on active federal service with the Pennsylvania 
National Guard in California, Kentucky, and South Korea.
  In 2009, SMSgt Kerstetter transferred to the 193d Special Operations 
Logistics Readiness Squadron, Pennsylvania Air National Guard--becoming 
one of the first senior Non-Commissioned Officers in the newly created 
Aerial Port. He deployed in support of myriad missions, including 
Operations Enduring Freedom and Spartan Shield. Most recently, he 
completed a tour with the 609th CENTCOM Combined Air Operation Center, 
serving as the Subject Matter Expert with the A3/4 Air Mobility 
Division.
  SMSgt Kerstetter currently serves as the Superintendent of the 193d 
Air Transportation Function, part of 193d Special Operation Logistics 
Readiness Squadron out of the Harrisburg International Airport, 
Middletown, Pennsylvania, which supports the Department of War's 
capability of moving passengers and air cargo worldwide. As 
superintendent, SMSgt Kerstetter plans, organizes, directs, 
coordinates, and controls ail transportation activities. Additionally, 
he determines and justifies personnel, equipment, and facilities 
required to accomplish air transportation functions.
  Outside of the military, SMSgt Kerstetter has been married to his 
wife, Krista, since 2022, and has served our youth for the past 20 
years as a fifth grade teacher in the Lower Dauphin School District. He 
also is a licensed soccer official (since 2013) for both the 
Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association and the United States 
Soccer Federation.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize, commend, and congratulate 
Senior Master Sergeant Jason W. Kerstetter upon the occasion of his 
retirement after more than 32 years of selfless service in the United 
States Military, and on a job extremely well done. His dedication, 
professionalism, and tireless devotion are a great credit to himself, 
our communities, the U.S. Army, the U.S. Air Force, the Commonwealth of 
Pennsylvania and the United States of America, and set the standard by 
which all should be judged.

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