Anthony Mastalir

{{short description|U.S. Space Force officer}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2020}}

{{Use American English|date=July 2020}}

{{Infobox military person

| name = Anthony J. Mastalir

| image = Brig Gen Anthony J. Mastalir (2).jpg

| image_size =

| alt =

| caption = Official portrait, 2024

| nickname =

| birth_date = {{circa|{{birth year and age|1972}}}}

| birth_place = Green Bay, Wisconsin, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| placeofburial =

| birth_name =

| allegiance = United States

| branch = {{plainlist|United States Air Force

| branch_label = Branch

| serviceyears = {{plainlist|1994–2021 (Air Force)

  • 2021–present (Space Force)}}

| rank = Brigadier General

| servicenumber =

| unit =

| commands = {{plainlist|{{nowrap|United States Space Forces Indo-Pacific}}

| battles =

| awards = {{plainlist|Defense Superior Service Medal

| alma_mater = {{plainlist|Northwestern University (BS)

| spouse = Danielle Patrice Bailey

| relations =

| laterwork =

| signature =

}}

Anthony Joseph Mastalir (born {{circa|1972}}) is a United States Space Force brigadier general who has served as the commander of the United States Space Forces Indo-Pacific since 2022. He previously served as commander of Space Launch Delta 30 from 2019 to 2021.

Early life and education

Born and raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Mastalir is the son of Joseph Mastalir and Suzanne Russell.{{cite web|url=http://www.newspapers.com/image/190082896/|title=28 Jul 1990, Page 8 - Green Bay Press-Gazette at Newspapers.com|website=Newspapers.com}} In 1990, he graduated from Preble High School, where he was one of the top students.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/191179465 |title=1 Apr 1990, Page 1 - Green Bay Press-Gazette at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=1990-04-01 |accessdate=2022-06-05}}{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/405184843 |title=29 Apr 1990, 124 - Wisconsin State Journal at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=1990-04-29 |accessdate=2022-06-05}}

Mastalir graduated from Northwestern University in 1994 with a B.S. degree in civil engineering. He later earned several masters degrees from the George Washington University, Naval War College, and Air University. He also spent a year as an Air Force research fellow at the RAND Corporation.{{Cite web|url=https://www.spaceforce.mil/Biographies/Display/Article/3224830/anthony-j-mastalir/|title=Brigadier General Anthony J. Mastalir|date=October 2023|website=United States Space Force|access-date=2024-02-25}}{{PD-notice}}

Military career

File:Air Force Assistance Fund (1).jpg, and CMSgt John F. Bentivegna completing contribution paperwork for the Air Force Assistance Fund, 2016.]]

On June 18, 1994, Mastalir entered the United States Air Force when he received his commission as a second lieutenant. His first assignment was as an academic processing officer at an Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps detachment in Chicago, Illinois. He then underwent a two-month undergraduate space and missile training at the 392nd Combat Training Squadron. In September 2005, he was reassigned to the 5th Space Operations Squadron at the Onizuka Air Station, California. He spent four years there in several capacities, including as satellite procedures officer, flight director, and satellite operations instructor.

Mastalir then went back to the 392nd Combat Training Squadron in 1999 for his missile initial qualification training. Afterwards, he was assigned to Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana to operate the LGM-30 Minuteman III missile as combat crew commander, instructor, and flight commander for the 564th Missile Squadron. In March 2001, he was selected to work as an Air Force intern assigned to the Air Force headquarters in Washington, D.C. After a year an intern, he was reassigned as a flight commander in the 4th Space Control Squadron at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico.

File:Lt. Gen. Whiting Visits Vandenberg (2).jpg (right), 2021.]]

From 2004 to 2006, Mastalir was assigned to Air Force Space Command, first as chief of space control requirements then as a speechwriter and aide-de-camp to General Lance W. Lord. After his AFSPC tour, he spent two years studying at the College of Naval Command and Staff and School of Advanced Air and Space Studies before promoting to lieutenant colonel.

After promoting to lieutenant colonel, Mastalir was assigned his first command tour, assuming command of the 595th Operations Support Squadron in June 2008. While in that position, he also served as the chief of integration at the Space Innovation and Development Center. After two years of command, he was reassigned to the 595th Space Group as the deputy group commander. He then went on to serve as an Air Force intern at the RAND Corporation for a year.

Mastalir was promoted to colonel in July 2012 and was assigned at the Joint Staff as the chief of the space and missile division. In July 2014, he became the assistant deputy director for global policy and partnerships. After his four-year stint at the Joint Staff, he was transferred to Schriever Air Force Base as the vice commander of the 50th Space Wing. In July 2017, he was reassigned as the deputy director of the Space Security and Defense Program.

File:Space Launch Delta 30 Change of Command (9).jpg commander, addresses the SLD 30, during a change of command ceremony, 2021.]]

On July 12, 2019, Mastalir took command of the 30th Space Wing, at Vandenberg Air Force Base.{{Cite news|url=https://syvnews.com/news/local/military/col-mastalir-takes-command-of-30th-space-wing-at-vandenberg-afb-base-leaders-talk-future/article_65fea1cb-d747-5523-a3bf-1c63f9fb06d2.html|title=Col. Mastalir takes command of 30th Space Wing at Vandenberg AFB; base leaders talk future of space, plovers|date=July 12, 2019|agency=Santa Ynez Valley News|last=Jacobson|first=Willis|access-date=July 18, 2020}}{{cite web | url=https://lompocrecord.com/news/local/col-mastalir-takes-command-of-30th-space-wing-at-vandenberg-afb-base-leaders-talk-future/article_e869fa82-fa31-5a9d-a631-ce34ea91526a.html | title=Col. Mastalir takes command of 30th Space Wing at Vandenberg AFB; base leaders talk future of space, plovers | date=July 12, 2019 }} He transferred to the Space Force on May 14, 2021, on the same date that the 30th Space Wing was redesignated as Space Launch Delta 30.{{cite web|url=https://www.vandenberg.spaceforce.mil/News/Photos/igphoto/2002642180/|title=Vandenberg AFB gets new U.S. Space Force name|website=www.vandenberg.spaceforce.mil}} In May 2022, he returned to Vandenberg as special assistant to Combined Force Space Component Command Commanders Major Generals DeAnna Burt and Douglas Schiess.{{cite web | url=https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3020004/general-officer-announcements/ | title=General Officer Announcements }}

Mastalir played an active role in standing up Space Force component field commands. After relinquishing command of Space Launch Delta 30, he was reassigned as director of space forces of the United States Air Forces Central Command, working to standup the United States Space Forces Central (USSPACEFORCENT) in Qatar. USSPACEFORCENT was supposed to be the first Space Force component command to a geographical combatant command, but it became the next priority after the Space Force component command to the United States Indo-Pacific Command as priorities changed.{{cite web | url=https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2022/06/16/space-force-seeks-a-bigger-voice-in-military-operations/ | title=Space Force seeks a bigger voice in military operations | date=June 16, 2022 }} On 22 November 2022, he took command of the first Space Force component field command, the United States Space Forces Indo-Pacific.{{cite web |url=https://www.airandspaceforces.com/space-force-new-cso-indopacom-component-november-vice-chief-says/ |title=Space Force to Get New CSO, INDOPACOM Component in November, Vice Chief Says |website=Air Force Magazine |date=25 October 2022 |last=Hadley |first=Greg}}

In April 2022, Mastalir was nominated for promotion to brigadier general.{{cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/117th-congress/2050|title=PN2050 - 5 nominees for Space Force, 117th Congress (2021-2022)|date=May 3, 2022|website=www.congress.gov}}

Awards and decorations

Mastalir is the recipient of the following awards:

160px

|Command Space Operations Badge

File:USAF - Occupational Badge - Missile Operations.svg

|Basic Missile Operations Badge

File:Joint Chiefs of Staff seal (2).svg

|Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge

File:Headquarters US Air Force Badge.png

|Air Staff Badge

{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=US Defense Superior Service Medal ribbon|width=60}}

|Defense Superior Service Medal

{{ribbon devices|number=2|name=Legion of Merit ribbon|width=60}}

|Legion of Merit with two bronze oak leaf clusters

{{ribbon devices|number=3|type=oak|name=Meritorious Service ribbon|width=60}}

|Meritorious Service Medal with three bronze oak leaf clusters

{{ribbon devices|number=3|type=oak|name=Air Force Commendation ribbon|width=60}}

|Air Force Commendation Medal with three bronze oak leaf clusters

{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Air Force Achievement Medal ribbon|width=60}}

|Air Force Achievement Medal

{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Joint Meritorious Unit Award ribbon|width=60}}

|Joint Meritorious Unit Award

{{ribbon devices|number=2|type=oak|name=Outstanding Unit ribbon|width=60}}

|Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two bronze oak leaf clusters

{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Organizational Excellence ribbon|width=60}}

|Air Force Organizational Excellence Award

{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|name=National Defense Service Medal ribbon|width=60}}

|National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star

{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Global War on Terrorism Service ribbon|width=60}}

|Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|name=Humanitarian Service ribbon|width=60}}

|Humanitarian Service Medal with one bronze service star

{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|name=Remote Combat Effects Campaign Medal ribbon|width=60}}

|Remote Combat Effects Campaign Medal

{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}}

|Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal

{{ribbon devices|number=6|type=oak|name=Longevity Service Award USAF|width=60}}

|Air Force Longevity Service Award with one silver and one bronze oak leaf clusters

{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|name=Air Force Training Ribbon|width=60}}

|Air Force Training Ribbon

Personal life

Mastalir is married to Danielle Patrice Bailey of Atlanta, Georgia. The couple has a daughter and a son.{{cite web |last1=Mastalir |first1=Anthony J. |title=The US response to China's ASAT test - An International Security Space Alliance for the future |url=https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA550459.pdf |publisher=Air University |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211103120704/https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA550459.pdf |archive-date=November 3, 2021 |date=August 2009 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.newspapers.com/image/361391280/|title=1 Mar 2008, 12 - Green Bay Press-Gazette at Newspapers.com|website=Newspapers.com}}

Dates of promotion

File:Vandenberg AFB gets new U.S. Space Force name (4).jpg

class="wikitable"

|+

! Rank !! Branch !! Date

| {{Dodseal|USAFO1|75}} Second Lieutenantrowspan=6|Air ForceJune 18, 1994
| {{Dodseal|USAFO2|75}} First LieutenantJuly 15, 1996
| {{Dodseal|USAFO3|75}} CaptainJuly 15, 1998
| {{Dodseal|USAFO4|75}} MajorDecember 1, 2004
| {{Dodseal|USAFO5|75}} Lieutenant ColonelJune 1, 2008
| {{Dodseal|USAFO6|75}} ColonelJuly 1, 2012
| {{Dodseal|USAFO6|75}} Colonelrowspan=2|Space Force~September 30, 2020
| {{Dodseal|USAFO7|75}} Brigadier GeneralOctober 1, 2022

Writings

  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20230618052338/https://media.defense.gov/2023/Jun/14/2003241449/-1/-1/1/12%20MASTALIR_SLP.PDF/12%20MASTALIR_SLP.PDF Space Force Service Components: Join the Fight]
  • {{cite journal | title=The PRC Challenge to US Space Assets in Chinese Aerospace Power: Evolving Maritime Roles | journal=Naval Institute Press | volume= | date=2011 | pages= | issue= | url=}}
  • {{cite journal | title=The US Response to China's ASAT Test: An International Security Space Alliance for the Future | journal=Drew Paper| volume= | date=August 2009 | pages= | issue=8 | url=https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA550459.pdf}}

References

{{Commons category}}

{{reflist}}

{{s-start}}

{{s-mil}}

{{s-bef|before=George R. Farfour}}

{{s-ttl|title=Commander of the 595th Operations Support Squadron|years=2008–2010}}

{{s-aft|after=???}}

{{s-bef|before=Eugene Caughey}}

{{s-ttl|title=Vice Commander of the 50th Space Wing|years=2015–2017}}

{{s-aft|after=Jacob Middleton Jr.}}

{{s-bef|before=???}}

{{s-ttl|title=Deputy Director of the Space Security and Defense Program|years=2017–2019}}

{{s-aft|after=Todd R. Moore}}

{{s-bef|before=Michael S. Hough}}

{{s-ttl|title=Commander of the 30th Space Wing, later Space Launch Delta 30|years=2019–2021}}

{{s-aft|after=Robert A. Long}}

{{s-bef|before=Robert J. Schreiner}}

{{s-ttl|title=Director of Space Forces of the United States Air Forces Central Command|years=2021–2022}}

{{s-aft|after=Christopher S. Putnam}}

{{s-new|office}}

{{s-ttl|title=Commander of the United States Space Forces Indo-Pacific|years=2022–present}}

{{s-inc}}

{{s-end}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mastalir, Anthony}}

Category:Year of birth missing (living people)

Category:Living people

Category:Place of birth missing (living people)

Category:Northwestern University alumni

Category:George Washington University alumni

Category:College of Naval Command and Staff alumni

Category:Air University (United States Air Force) alumni

Category:United States Air Force colonels

Category:Space Operations Command personnel