Robert Mahler

Robert Mahler, age 42, passed away on November 12, 2010. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 17, 2010, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM at Horan & Mcconaty Family Chapel, 3020 Federal Boulevard, Denver, Colorado. Graveside Service will be held on Friday, November 19, 2010, 11:15 AM at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Staging Area ""C"", 3698 South Sheridan Boulevard, Denver, Colorado. Reception will follow. Mahler Career Snapshot Born in Pennsylvania. Grew up in Florida and Brazil. -Enlisted and went to basic training at Lackland AFB Texas in Aug/Sep 1986 -Attended Tech School at Keesler AFB MS in Oct/Nov 1986 for the Aerospace Control and Warning Operator career field (now Air Battle Management). -Assigned to 729th Tactical Control Squadron, Hill AFB Utah from Nov 1986 to Aug 1988. Qualified as an air surveillance operator and electronic counter-countermeasures technician. Helped open this new unit transferring from Germany. Achieved IOC in Jun 1987. -Attended Space Operations Orientation Course and Ballistic Missile Early Warning System (BMEWS) Combat Crew Training School (CCTS) from Aug 1988 to Oct 1988. -Assigned to 13th Missile Warning Squadron, Clear AFS Alaska from Oct 1988 – Oct 1990. Qualified as Space Object Identification (SOI) operator, Tracking Console Operator (TCO) and Detection Radar Operator (DRO). Only triple certified operator on site. Instructor certified and assigned as operations training shop for all three positions. -Attended the SATCOM Initial Qualification Training (IQT) course from Oct 1990 – Nov 1990. -Assigned to the 2nd Communications Squadron, Buckley AGB Colorado from Nov 1990 – Jan 1993. Certified as a Data Systems Supervisor (DSS) and Ground Systems Operator (GSO). Instructor certified in both positions. First DSS selected to upgrade to GSO after career field merger/split. Completed 6 month GSO training program in 9 weeks. On console for 30% of detected launches from Iraq during Desert Storm. -Assigned to 3rd Space Surveillance Squadron, Misawa AB Japan from Jan 1993 – Jan 1995. Certified as a Passive Systems Console Operator (PSCO) 2 and PSCO 4. Instructor and Evaluator certified in both positions and created training program from these two positions to help open this new unit and system. Achieved IOC in Jul 1993. -Assigned to Det 1 21st Operations Group/11th Space Warning Squadron, Falcon AFB Colorado from Jan 1995 – Jul 1997. Certified as Mission Crew Chief (MCCH) and assigned as Flight Chief. Instructor certified. Helped stand this new unit and system up to achieve IOC in Mar 1995. -Separated from Air Force on 14 Aug 1997. -Worked as a Systems Engineer for Hughes Aircraft Co in Aurora Colorado from Jul 1997 – Oct 1997. -Worked as a Sensor Engineer/Technical Advisor for Aerojet Electronic Systems in support of 1 SOPS and 11 SWS at Falcon AFB Colorado from Oct 1997 – Jan 1999. -Attended Officer Training School (OTS) at Maxwell AFB Alabama from Jan 1999 – Apr 1999. -Attended Undergraduate Space and Missile Training (USMT) at Vandenberg AFB California from Apr 1999 – Jul 1999. -Assigned to 2nd Space Warning Squadron at Buckley AGB Colorado from Jul 1999 – Aug 2002. Certified as Orbital Analyst, Crew Commander and Deputy Chief of Training. Fourth new unit and third new system he helped stand up. Supported Operation Enduring Freedom, Noble Eagle, Southern Watch, etc) -Palace Chased to reserves and assigned to AGR position in 8th Space Warning Squadron at Buckley AFB Colorado from Aug 2002 to present. Certified as Spacecraft Engineer, Crew Commander and Chief of Orbital Analysis. Additional duties of Chief of Training and Scheduling. Supported Operation Iraqi Freedom and many other contingencies. Promotion Dates: Airman Basic - Aug 86 Airman First Class - Sep 86 Senior Airman - Jun 88 Sergeant - Aug 89 Staff Sergeant - Jul 91 Technical Sergeant - Selected May 97 (separated before line number) 2nd Lieutenant - Apr 99 1st Lieutenant - Apr 01 Captain - Dec 03 Major - Apr 08 Awards and Decs: Meritorious Service Medal Air Force Commendation Medal (4 OLC) Air Force Achievement Medal (2 OLC) Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (4 OLC) Combat Readiness Medal National Defense Service Medal (1 OLC) Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Air and Space Campaign Medal Air Force Good Conduct Medal (2 OLC) Air Force Overseas Short Ribbon Air Force Overseas Long Ribbon Air Force Longevity Service (4 OLC) USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon (1 OLC) Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon Air Force Training Ribbon (1 OLC) Education: A.A.S. Space Operations Technology -1995 CCAF B.S. Computer Information Systems Management -1997 Colorado Christian University M.S. Space Systems Management -Forever in progress PME: NCO Preparatory Course - 1989 NCO Leadership School - 1990 Junior Officer Leadership Development Training - 2003 Junior Officer Professional Development - 2005 Squadron Officer School - 2007 Please share memories of Robert and condolences with his family by selecting the ""Sign Guestbook"" tab below.