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Gen. Mike Minihan, Commander of Air Mobility Command, visits the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station June 8, 2024.

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June Spotlight Performer

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Richard Mekkri
  • 914th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. --  The 914th Airlift Wing Spotlight Performer for June 2015 is Senior Airman Colton Mattle

Born: Rochester, N.Y.

Do you have any siblings? 
I do. I have two brothers. One of them, Cameron, is a firefighter on base

What motivated you to join the Air Force Reserve?
Patriotism and love of country, as well as, an opportunity to travel.

How long have you been in?
5 ½ years all with the 914th Civil Engineer Squadron.

What are your job duties and responsibilities?  
Structural Engineer and Building Renovations. I work with everything from concrete, welding, and soldering to masonry, structural framing, carpentry and welding. "Anything you can do to build a building is what we do."  Most recently we added a second floor to our building by putting in a mezzanine using heavy structural steel.

What do you like or find rewarding about the job?
I love working with my hands. I'm a "blue-collar" kind of guy. The job is very diverse and encompasses a broad range of areas. I enjoy that we're never really done learning.

What are your Air Force goals?
I'd like to finish 20 years, maybe more, and retire. I'd like to make it to shop supervisor one day.

Have you been deployed?
No, but I will be later this year. I'm really excited about it, that's one of the reasons I joined.

What do you like to do in your free time?
I like hunting and fishing with friends. My civilian job is a union pipefitter. My dad and brother are also union pipefitters.  When we were little, my dad would take us on job sites with him. I really liked working with him and decided that I wanted to do that too.