Mahon, Alexander T.

Alexander Thomas Mahon

Preferred Name: Alex

Nickname/Call Sign: Diablo

Date of Birth: September 17, 1944

Highest Military Grade: 0-6 – Colonel

Hometown: Tucson, AZ

After 34 years of military service, Alex Mahon retired as Colonel. His civilian career included:

Apr 1966-Jan 1971: Various positions in corporate finance, insurance, banking, and real estate;
Jan 1971-May 1972: Special Agent/Criminal Investigator, Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (DOJ; Detroit, MI);
May 1972-Dec 1973: Special Agent, IRS Criminal Investigations Division (DOT; Detroit, MI; traditional Guardsman);
Dec 1973-Aug 1978: Special Agent, Drug Enforcement Administration (DOJ; Detroit, MI; traditional Guardsman);
Sep 1978-May 1982: Student; University of Detroit School of Law (AGR; 127TFW, Selfridge ANGB, MI);
May 1982-Oct 1982: AGR (162TFG, Tucson IAP, AZ);
Oct 1982-Aug 1986: Private law practice (Tucson, AZ; traditional Guardsman, 162TFG);
Aug 1986-Apr 2000: ANG AGR and USAF active duty; limited law practice;
May 2000 – Mar 2001: Director, DoD-funded National Counterdrug Center (Hanford Site, Richland, WA);
Mar 2001-Oct 2004: Private law practice/contract IG (Scottsdale, AZ);
Oct 2004-Dec 2013: Arizona Assistant Attorney General (Phoenix, AZ; RICO prosecutions);
Jan 2010-Dec 2013: Deputy Director, Southwest Border Anti-Money Laundering Alliance (Phoenix, AZ);
Dec 2013-Aug 2017: Deputy County Attorney, Pinal County (Florence, AZ; RICO prosecutions);
Aug 2017-Present: Retired, with limited law practice focused on helping fellow Geezers deal with our age-unique legal issues.

Units Assigned

6/1962-4/1966 USAF enlisted (E-4; Mandarin Linguist)
4/1966-6/1968 AFRES enlisted (E-4; inactive)
10/1972-5/1974 180th Tactical Fighter Group, Toledo, OH; Management Analysis Officer (E-5; O-1)
5/1974-5/1975 UPT, Williams AFB, AZ (O-1; turned 30 years old in T-37s; Gary Silence was my T-38 Flight Commander)
5/1975-2/1976 F-100 RTU B-course, 162nd Tactical Fighter Training Group, Tucson, AZ (O-2). This entry requires an extensive digression. The 162nd Tactical Fighter Training Group was then populated by the most extraordinary group of F-100 IPs imaginable. Most, if not all, were Vietnam F-100 vets, including several Misty’s, who possessed flying skills and combat experience beyond comparison. They wore the F-100 like a beloved and comfortable suit, and could without much forethought or preparation teach fledgling fighter pilots what they needed to know and do to survive and thrive in the quirky F-100, most of whom later went on to distinguished careers flying A-7, F-16, and other fighters. The IPs names are known and legend in the tight F-100 fraternity: Bill Barnitz; Al Bartels; Kirk Brimmer; Tony Bulat; Bob Cassaro; Vince Catolica; Hal Cochran; Harv Damschen; Noel Duncan; Jim Fiorelli; Bob Fosnot; Lee Graves; Jack Hartman; Ron Kurth; Bob Lewis; Al Mosher; Pete Noebel; Don Shepperd; Ed Skowran; Willie Wilson; and others. Thank you all.
2/1976-4/1978 107th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Selfridge ANBG, MI (F-100, O-3)
4/1978-8/197 F-4C RTU T-course, Luke AFB, AZ (O-3)
8/1978-8/1979 171st Fighter Intercept Squadron (F-4C ADC Alert Detachment Pilot), Selfridge ANGB, MI (O-3)
8/1979-10/1979 A-7D RTU T-course, 162nd Tactical Fighter Training Group, Tucson, AZ (O-3)
10/1979-5/1982 127th Tactical Fighter Wing (IP and FWS Weaponeering Courses at 162TFG; A-7D IP and Chief, Weapons & Tactics), Selfridge ANBG, MI (O-4)
5/1982-2/1995 162nd Fighter Wing (A-7/F-16 RTU IP; 195th Fighter Squadron/DO and CC; 162nd Fighter Wing/XO, Tucson IAP, AZ (O-5)
2/1995-10/1999 HQ AZANG; Commander, Joint Counter Narcotics Task Force, Phoenix, AZ (O-6)
10/1999-4/2000 HQ MIANG, Director of Operations (Lansing, MI); ANGB/CD Special Projects, Counterdrug Technology and Counterdrug Aviation Operations (Washington, D.C.) (O-6)
5/2000 Retired USAF with 33½ years military service (25 years USAF and ANG active duty)