Mario Candia, Vice President
Mario is a native of Cochabamba, Bolivia. He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1964, after a year of being in the United States. After training at Lackland AFB, TDY to Lowry AFB and later attended the Photo School there. Upon graduation, he transferred to the Base Photo Lab, Denver, CO.
In 1966, he was sent TDY to SEA Det 4, 600th photo Sqdn, Cam Ranh Bay. As a Combat-Aerial photographer, he covered several missions; such as Junction City Operation, 439L Submarine Cable Project in the South China Sea to improve communication in the region, covered President Johnson’s visit to Viet-Nam among others. He transferred to help build DET, 16, Phu Cat AFB home of the Famous Super FAC “Misty”. With them, he flew in the F-100D missions.
In 1967, he was assigned to 1365th AAVS, Det, 1 Andrews AFB, Washington D.C. documenting the Air Force role, and some functions at the White House, State Department, Pentagon, Defense Intelligence Agency labs. In 1968, he was honorably discharged. He joined the SD Air National Guard assigned to the Intelligence Section for eight years.
In 1972, joined the Civil Air Patrol Auxiliary of the US Air Force. He holds the rank of Lt.COL, Mission Pilot with several hundred hours of flying time, graduated from National Staff College, Maxwell AFB, National Search and Rescue School taught by the US Cost Guard. He participated in the International Air Cadet Exchange to France and Turkey.
He earned his degree in American Government and International Affairs/Spanish at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, SD and taught photography at the University while being head of the Photo Lab.
He held a Pilots license and had his own business as Aerial and Commercial Photography.
In 1981, he began working as a (Contract)Escort/Interpreter for the US Department of State traveling throughout United Staes with dignitaries invited by the US government.
In 1991, he began working for the US Department of Justice, as Language Interpreter in the Immigration Court in Chicago, IL and after 20 years retired from the Federal Government.
Mario has also retired from refereeing Soccer (50 yrs) one his passions. He holds the license of State Referee, State Referee Instructor, Assessor and Assignor in the US Soccer Federation, and National Intercollegiate Soccer Association and US Amateur Soccer Association.