September 12, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 146 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Page S5472]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN NICHOLAS A. MUNGAS

 Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, today I wish to honor CAPT Nicholas 
A. Mungas, commodore of Training Air Wing One, at NAS Meridian, for his 
25 years of service to the U.S. Navy.
  CAPT Nicholas Mungas grew up in Kalispell, MT. Following his 
nomination, Captain Mungas attended and graduated from the U.S. Naval 
Academy in 1995, with a degree in economics. Directly following, he 
attended flight school and, in November of 1997, was designated a naval 
aviator at NAS Kingsville in Texas.
  Captain Mungas's operational assignments include FA-18 pilot tours 
with Strike Fighter Squadron, VFA 105, USS Enterprise, CVN 65, USS 
Harry S. Truman, CVN 75; VFA-195, USS Kitty Hawk, CV 63; and VFA-136, 
USS Enterprise, CVN 65; completing multiple Mediterranean and Western 
Pacific deployments, while supporting Operations Southern Watch, 
Deliberate Forge, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom.
  Captain Mungas has excelled in all areas of the Navy, but most 
notably as a naval pilot. Captain Mungas attended the navy fighter 
weapons school, better known as TOPGUN. He also served as an instructor 
pilot in the Strike Fighter Squadron 106, where he was selected as the 
Strike Fighter Wing Atlantic Fleet Instructor Pilot of the Year in 
2004.
  After his graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy, Captain Mungas has 
accumulated over 2,900 flight hours and has preformed 576 carrier 
arrested landings. His distinguished career includes the Defense 
Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Strike 
Flight Air Medal, and the Department of State Meritorious honor award.
  As well as being a highly qualified and distinguished pilot, Captain 
Mungas has served as the Joint Chiefs of Staff desk officer and U.S. 
Africa Command lead planner, as well as a military detailee to the U.S. 
Department of State in the Office of the Euro-Atlantic Security Affairs 
in the Bureau of Arms Control, Verification, and Compliance.
  His record of excellence and leadership is an inspiration to all 
young Montanans and aspiring naval aviators. I, along with all of 
Montana, are grateful for his life of service to our Nation.
  In recognition of CAPT Nicholas A. Mungas and his personal 
accomplishments and contributions to his country, I ask unanimous 
consent that his name be entered into the Record.

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