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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:

Ed entered the Air Force Aviation Cadet Program in August 1961. After graduation in Aviation Cadet Class 63-01 on 6 July 1962, 2nd Lt Masek married Cynthia Ann Cavill, daughter of Lt Col and Mrs. Jack W. Cavill on 7 July 1962 in Waco Texas.

2nd Lt Masek then attended Navigation-Bombing Training at Mather AFB in Class 63-16. After graduation 2Lt Masek was assigned to the 29th military Airlift Squadron for 5 years, flying CI 18s and C130s and upgrading to instructor navigator. 1st Lt Masek Ed was selected and attended Squadron Officers School at Maxwell AFB in January 1966. By 1968 Capt Masek had amassed over 5000 flying hours, over 4000 in the CI30 serving as an instructor and flight examiner. During the spring of 1968, Capt Masek transferred to Dyess AFB as Military Airlift Command determined they would transfer all the CI30s assigned aircrew members to Tactical Air Command.

While assigned to Dyess AFB, Capt Masek's Squadron deployed to Japan for over four months. While in Japan, Capt Masek deployed on four month long deployments to Viet Nam. After returning to Dyess AFB, Capt Masek deployed for three months to, Mildenhall AB, UK. In the fall of 1969 Capt Masek volunteered for Special Operations and assignment to the 15th SOS flying MCI 30s at Na Tang AB Viet Nam serving as Chief of Navigator Standardization and Combat Plans.

After completing the year assignment Capt Masek was reassigned to Ramstein AB Germany and assigned to the 7th SOS again flying MCI30s and Squadron and Wing Aircrew Standardization. In 1973 Capt Masek was assigned the USAFE Stan Eval and promoted to Major. In 1975 with his father-in-law's missing in action status Major Masek requested Dyess AFB Abilene, Texas to be located close to his wife's mother.

After six short months at Dyess AFB, Major Masek was selected to attend Logistics Management School at Wright-Patterson AFB in preparation to become the Assistant Deputy Commander for Resource Management for the 516 Tactical Airlift Wing. In 1978 Major Masek was selected for promotion to Lt Col and transferred to a Command and Control position as Command Briefer for the PACAF Director of Operations. After three years on the PACAF staff and graduation from the University of Southern California graduate school, Lt Col Masek was reassigned to Tactical Air Command Tactical Air Forces Interoperability Group at Langley AFB as a research and development program manager for the Joint Interoperability of Tactical Command and Control Systems (JINTACCS). Lt Col Masek remained at Langley for nine years, retiring in August 1990.

Lt Col Masek's military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Expeditionary Medal, and Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry. Lt Col Masek is a Master Navigator with 7310 total flying hours, 619 combat flying hours and 181 combat sorties.

After retiring, Lt Col (Ret) Masek worked for two defense contractors in the Washington DC area and in November 1993 Lt Col (Ret) Masek took a position with The MITRE Corporation and continues to work research and development technology issues today. Lt Col (Ret) and Mrs. Masek have been married over 44 years and have three children, Edward Jr., Timothy, and Peggy. They also have four grand children Amelia, Declan, Morgan, and Sally.