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| Library > Biographies > COLONEL WILLIAM H. MASON |
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COLONEL WILLIAM H. MASON
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Colonel William Mason is commander of the 459th Air Refueling Wing, Joint Base Andrews, Md. In this role, he is responsible for the training and readiness of more than 1,300 assigned wing personnel in 20 units employing eight KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft. The 459th supports Air Mobility Command's worldwide air refueling mission meeting the air refueling needs of all U.S. Air Force, Navy, Marine and selected allied nations' aircraft. In addition, members of 459 ARW are engaged in a cross section of combat support and aeromedical evacuation services for all U.S. military branches in times of peace, war, and national emergency, within the United States and abroad.
Colonel Mason began his military career in 1987 as a graduate of Auburn University and Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps. He spent 14 years as a naval aviator, primarily serving as a mission/aircraft commander on the E-6 "Take Charge and Move Out" mission. After leaving active duty in 2001, he joined the Air Force Reserve in 2002. Colonel Mason has served tours of duty in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom since joining the Air Force. He has also served as the commander of the 90th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, Incirlik Air Base, Turkey and the 506th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.
EDUCATION
1987 Bachelor of Science in Biology, Auburn University, Auburn, Ala.
1998 Masters of Business Administration, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Okla.
2004 Air Command and Staff College, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala., Correspondence
2006 Air War College, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala., Correspondence
2011 Advanced Joint Professional Military Education, Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Va.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 1987 - April 1988, student, aviation indoctrination, Naval Aviation Schools, Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla.
2. April 1988 - August 1988, pilot training, VT-3, T-34C, Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Milton, Fla.
3. August 1988 - November 1989, pilot training, VT-23, T-2C and VT-21, TA-4J, NAS Kingsville, Texas
4. December 1989 - September 1991, flight instructor, VT-21, TA-4J, NAS Kingsville, Texas
5. October 1991 - February 1992, initial E-6 (TACAMO) training, Naval Training Support Unit, Waco, Texas
6. February 1992 - September 1995, aircraft commander, instructor/evaluator, mission commander, training officer, flight officer, scheduling officer, Asst Safety/NATOPS, VQ-4, E-6A, Patuxent River, Md.
7. September 1995 - June 1997, wing plans officer, Wing Safety/NATOPS, CSCW-1, Tinker AFB, Okla.
8. June 1997 - December 1998, master's degree program, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Okla.
9. January 1999 - June 2001, aircraft commander, instructor/evaluator, mission commander, Safety/NATOPS Department Head, VQ-3, E-6B, Tinker AFB, Okla.
10. July 2001 - August 2002, Naval Reserve, Columbus, Ga.
11. August 2002 - August 2003, KC-135R pilot, 465th Air Refueling Squadron, Tinker AFB, Okla.
12. August 2003 - May 2004, instructor pilot KC-135R, Chief of Current Operations, 465th Air Refueling Squadron, Tinker AFB, Okla.
13. June 2004 - September 2007, chief pilot, Asst Operations Officer, 465th Air Refueling Squadron, Tinker AFB, Okla.
14. September 2007 - September 2008, Evaluator, KC-135R, operations officer, 465th Air Refueling Squadron, Tinker AFB, Okla.
15. September 2008 - May 2010, commander, 465th Air Refueling Squadron, Tinker AFB, Okla.
16. May 2010 - July 2011, commander, 434th Operations Group, Grissom ARB, Ind.
17. July 2011 - July 2012, commander, 931st Air Refueling Group, McConnell AFB, Kan.
18.July 2012 - present, commander, 459th Air Refueling Wing, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight Hours: more than 5300
Aircraft Flown: T-34C, T-2C, TA-4J, T-44A, E-6A, E-6B, B707, KC-135 R
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Medal
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Navy Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Navy Achievement Medal with two Gold Stars
Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device and three Oak Leaf Clusters
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation
Navy Battle "E" Ribbon
Combat Readiness Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters
National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Star
Iraq Campaing Medal with Bronze Star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border
Air Force Longevity Service Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with three 'M' devices
Navy Expert Rifle Medal
Navy Expert Pistol Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Ensign, May 1987
Lieutenant (Jr Grade), May 1989
Lieutenant, June 1991
Lt Commander, December 1997
Major, August 2002
Lt Colonel, October 2004
Colonel, February 2010
( Current as of December 2012)
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