At Samford University, Colonel Keith Kosan hugs his daughter Katie at her commissioning ceremony into the U.S. Air Force. Katie is a third-generation Air Force Officer, following her paternal and maternal grandfathers’ service. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – Colonel Keith Kosan was commissioned into the U.S. Air Force in 1985. Flight-test assignments dominated most of his 25-year career.

His most unique assignment was speechwriter for Air Force Chief of Staff.

Kosan led 1,000-plus personnel as Commander, 46th Operations Group, at Eglin AFB and executed more than 13,500 missions for 350-plus organizations at 17 U.S. locations. From 2006-2008, he was Deputy Director, Combined Test Force, Missile Defense Agency at Redstone Arsenal and ensured personnel’s proper training and safety.

In 2005-2006, he was enrolled at Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Fort McNair, Washington D.C. He served as Commander, 40th Flight Test Squadron at Eglin.

Other assignments included Chief, Acquisition Programs, Pentagon; Advanced Airpower Studies, Maxwell; Operations Officer; Chief, EF-111 Systems and Tactics Development, Cannon AFB, N.M.; Flight Commander, Mather AFB, Calif.; International Electronic Warfare instructor; and Electronic Combat Coordinator.

Kosan retired as Colonel in 2010.

In 2006, the Kosans moved to Madison from Washington D.C. with Missile Defense Agency, left Madison in 2008 for another assignment and returned in 2010 after he retired. “Luckily, we had kept our house in Madison — just in case,” he said.

The Kosans first visited here in 2005 when they hurricane-evacuated from Eglin to a Huntsville hotel. As Madison residents, they now frequently visit Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Keith considers Beavercreek, Ohio as his hometown, while his wife Cindy lived longest in San Antonio, Texas.

He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biomedical engineering and project management, respectively, at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. From military training, Kosan has master’s degrees from Industrial College of the Armed Forces, School of Advanced Airpower Studies and Air Command and Staff College.

Currently, Kosan is a government civilian with MDA as Director for Test for Advanced Technology Directorate.

Cindy Kosan works as teacher. Daughter Kate, 23, is a 2nd Lieutenant Air Force Nurse at Langley AFB, Va. Son Adam, 19, is an Auburn University sophomore. Son Ben is a 13-year-old seventh-grader at Discovery Middle School.

Colonel Kosan advises Venture Crew 007, has coached AYSO soccer and has volunteered at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.

He enjoys backpacking/camping, tennis and snow skiing. The Kosans participate in Rocketman Triathlon.