[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 144 (Thursday, October 6, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[Congressional Record: October 6, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
A TRIBUTE TO MAJ. GEN. HARRY W. JENKINS, JR., USMC, ON HIS RETIREMENT
Mr. NUNN. Mr. President, I would like to congratulate an outstanding
military officer, Maj. Gen. Harry W. Jenkins, Jr., on his retirement
from active duty. General Jenkins served for over 34 years with
distinction in the Marine Corps. General Jenkins graduated from San
Jose State College in 1960, whereupon he was commissioned as a Marine
Corps second lieutenant. To cap off his fine career, General Jenkins
has served as the first Director, Expeditionary Warfare in the staff of
the Chief of Naval Operations.
Congress established this office in an effort to focus additional
attention within the Navy Department on important expeditionary warfare
areas that take on additional significance in the New World we face
today. General Jenkins was chosen to fill the important role of
establishing this office because of his extensive qualifications in
leading the landing forces in Operations Desert Shield-Desert Storm.
His unique qualifications were exactly those needed to set this office
and its operations on the right course. The Armed Services Committee
has relied heavily on General Jenkins' advice on matters pertaining to
expeditionary warfare and the changes that the Navy Department should
be making to enhance its capabilities in this area.
General Jenkins has received numerous awards and decorations,
including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with Combat V and
three gold stars, and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal.
I want to thank General Jenkins for his outstanding career of
dedicated service to the Marine Corps and the Nation. I know my
colleagues join me in washing all the best to General Jenkins, his
wife, Sue, their daughter, Anne Elizabeth, and their son, Thomas
Jonathan.
There being no objection, the biography was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
[From Headquarters Marine Corps, Division of Public Affairs]
Maj. Gen. Harry W. Jenkins Jr., USMC
Major General Harry W. Jenkins Jr., is currently serving as
the Director, Expeditionary Warfare Division (N85), on the
staff of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C.
General Jenkins was born on November 29, 1938 in Oakland,
California. Upon graduation from San Jose State College with
a B.A. degree in June 1960, he was commissioned a second
lieutenant in the Marine Corps. He also holds an M.S. degree
from the University of Wisconsin (1972).
After completing The Basic School at Quantico, Va., in
January 1961, he served as a weapons platoon commander with
the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines at Camp Pendleton, Calif., and
then as a weapons platoon commander and rifle platoon
commander with the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, 3d Marine
Division on Okinawa. He was promoted to first lieutenant in
January 1962.
He transferred back to the U.S. in March 1962, and was
assigned to Marine Barracks, San Francisco naval Shipyard,
San Francisco, Calif., where he served as the barracks
Executive Officer until December 1964. From January 1965 to
February 1967, he was assigned to the Marine Corps Mountain
Warfare Training Center, Bridgeport, Calif., serving as a
Senior Instructor in Mountain Operations, in the survival
School and as the Assistant Operations Officer of the
Training Center. He was promoted to captain in June 1965.
In February 1967, General Jenkins returned to Quantico for
duty at the Officer Candidate School, and then was a student
at the Amphibious Warfare School. Upon graduation in January
1968, he was transferred to the Republic of Vietnam, where he
served as the Commanding Officer, Company M, 3d Battalion,
26th Marines, and later served as the Operations Officer and
Executive Officer of the battalion. Promoted to major in
November 1968, he was then assigned as the Civil Affairs
Officer for the 1st Marine Division in January 1969.
Returning from overseas in April 1969, he was assigned to
the NROTC Unit, University of Wisconsin, where he was the
Marine Officer Instructor until June 1972. Following that
tour, General Jenkins was ordered to Headquarters Marine
Corps, Washington, D.C., where he served in the Officer
Assignment Branch, and later in the Office of the Commandant
as the Plans Officer in the Special Projects Directorate.
In August 1975, he returned to Quantico as a student at the
Marine Corps Command and Staff College. Following graduation
in June 1976, he returned to the 3d Marine Division as the
Regimental Operations Officer of the 9th Marines. While
overseas, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel in July 1977.
General Jenkins was next assigned to the Office of the
Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) in August
1977. There he served in the National Military Command Center
and as a special plans officer in the Directorate for
Community Relations.
From August 1979 until June 1980, he attended the Naval War
College, Newport, R.I. Upon graduation he was reassigned to
Headquarters Marine Corps where he served in the Officer
Assignment Branch as the Ground Lieutenant Colonel Monitor,
the head of the Ground Officer Assignment Section and as the
Head of the Officer Assignment Branch, respectively. He was
promoted to colonel in July 1982.
During August 1983, General Jenkins was assigned to the 2d
Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, N.C., where he served as the
Division G-3 until May 1984, and then as the Commanding
Officer of the 2d Marine Regiment. He served in this capacity
until June 1986, when he assumed the position as the Chief of
Staff for the Division. While serving in this capacity, he
was selected for promotion to brigadier general in December
1986. He was assigned duty as the Legislative Assistant to
the Commandant of the Marine Corps on Oct. 5, 1987, and was
advanced to brigadier general on Oct. 1, 1987. General
Jenkins was assigned additional duties as the Director of
Public Affairs on May 18, 1988. On Aug. 22, 1989, he was
assigned as Commanding General, 4th Marine Expeditionary
Brigade/Commanding General, Landing Force Training Command,
Atlantic/Deputy Commander, Marine Strike Force Atlantic, NAB,
Little Creek, Va. General Jenkins was promoted to major
general on Aug. 1, 1990. Following that tour, General Jenkins
returned to Headquarters Marine Corps on July 15, 1991, where
he served as the Assistant Chief of Staff, Command, Control,
Communications, Computer and Intelligence (C4I)/Director of
Intelligence. In October 1992, he was chosen for the position
of Director, Expeditionary Warfare Division (N85) on the
staff of the Chief of Naval Operations at the Pentagon. He
served in both assignments until April 16, 1993, when he
relinquished the duty as Assistant Chief of Staff, C4I/
Director of Intelligence.
General Jenkins' decorations include: the Legion of Merit;
Bronze Star Medal with Combat ``V'' and three gold stars; the
Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Navy Commendation Medal
with Combat ``V''; Combat Action Ribbon; Presidential Unit
Citation with two bronze stars; Navy Unit Commendation;
Meritorious Unit Commendation; National Defense Service Medal
with one bronze star; Vietnam Service Medal with one silver
star; Southwest Asia Service Medal with two bronze stars; Sea
Service Deployment Ribbon with one bronze star; Arctic
Service Ribbon; Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with
bronze star; Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation
(Gallantry Cross Color); Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit
Citation, (Civil Actions Color 1st Class); the Vietnam
Campaign Medal; and the Kuwait Liberation Medal.
Major General Jenkins and his wife, the former Sue Gilbert
of Richlands Virginia, have a daughter, Anne Elizabeth, and a
son, Thomas Jonathan.
Mr. FORD. Mr. President, since receiving new C-130H aircraft, the
Kentucky Air National Guard has been involved in every major world
contingency where tactical airlift was required.
Kentucky's Guard was in the air within 72 hours of being called on to
assist in Rwanda. Our crews logged 303.2 flying hours, flew 147
sorties, carried 652.5 tons of cargo, and transported 604 passengers.
It is my understanding that the Kentucky Air Guard is being
considered for the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. I believe the
attached list of achievements will make them top contenders.
Mr. President, let me close by saying the achievements of the
Kentucky Air National Guard should make every American confident that
equipment, like the C-130H's, is being used effectively by highly
qualified, competent crews.
I ask unanimous consent that the following be included in the Record
following my remarks.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
The 123d Airlift Wing capped one of the most impressive
periods in its history with the acceptance of two highly
acclaimed national awards. The 1993 National Guard
Association of the United States Distinguished Flying Plaque
recognizes the 123d Airlift Wing as one of the top five
outstanding Air National Guard flying units. Additionally,
the unit earned the 1993 National Guard Bureau's Curtis N.
``Rusty'' Metcalf Trophy, presented to the Tactical/Strategic
Airlift or Air Refueling flying unit which demonstrated the
highest standards of mission accomplishment over a sustained
period.
The 123 AW earned an overall excellent rating during a 9th
Air Force Stan/Eval inspection. Every measurable category was
rated excellent which is exceptional considering the units
extensive real world tasking. Five wing crew members were
recognized as ``exceptionally qualified.''
The 123 AW epitomized the quality of the Total Force by its
extraordinary performance in regional contingencies and
humanitarian relief efforts throughout the world. Once
aircrew conversion training to the H model aircraft was well
on its way to completion, the unit aggressively volunteered
its services to whatever missions were required of C-130
aircraft. When Hurricane Andrew devastated southern Florida
the 123d answered the call. A 123 AW C-130H was credited as
being the first cargo aircraft on the scene at devastated
Homestead AFB, Florida, transporting critically needed
security police to secure the area. This was then followed by
numerous sorties manned by volunteers to help begin the
recovery process.
When the world situation in Africa and Eastern Europe
turned critical 123d volunteers again stepped up to the line.
At first, individuals from the combat control team and
aircrew members, supplementing short handed units answered
the call to Operation Restore Hope (Somalia). Shortly
thereafter the unit responded to tasking sending both
aircraft, flying and support personnel to the Horn of Africa
to aid in the critical and dangerous humanitarian operation.
123d citizen soldiers, dubbed by the regional media in
Kentuckiana ``the Guardians of Hope'' provided 150 sorties
over 263 flying hours and transported 720 tons of supplies
and 1144 passengers to the effort, while members of the
wing's combat control team operated runways at several
austere locations. Additionally, the 123d Services Flight,
operating out of Cairo West, Egypt, managed contract
commercial hotels, food service and laundry; established and
operated MWR activities; provided mortuary support for the
region; and aided in the drawdown of personnel and operations
for the installation . . . supporting an average of 500
people rotating through the site daily. The unit was
commended for their exceptional service.
As the world's geopolitical attention switched to Eastern
Europe the 123 AW took focus on Operation Provide Promise
where the unit's all volunteer force, many arriving directly
from Africa flew humanitarian missions into Bosnia-
Herzegovina February through April and again from July
through the end of September 1993. In December 1993 the unit
returned and continued to fly missions through May of 1994.
123d AW aircraft amassed 1082 sorties over 2220 hours and
delivered 2215 tons of food and supplies. Lieutenant Colonel
Rick Ash, a flight commander and traditional guardsman became
the first Air National Guard commander of the reactivated
Delta Squadron, part of the 435th Airlift Wing, Rein Mein AB
Germany, where he served with great distinction.
In July 1994, given only 72 hours to respond, the 123 AW
quickly answered the call to Operation Provide Hope in
Rwanda. Operating from Mombasa, Kenya, unit personnel and
aircraft flew 147 sorties and over 303.2 hours including
652.5 tons of relief supplies and transported 604 passengers
to the beleaguered Rwandan refugees.
The 123 AW also participated in many other unique
deployments and exercises. The wing supported six rotations
for Phoenix Oak where missions into Central and South America
tested aircrews, war readiness capability in a real world
setting. During these deployments the wing provided 223
sorties, almost 500 hours and transported 920 tons of
supplies and 720 passengers. Security Police participated in
Phoenix Ace--an exercise designed to test the unit's air base
ground defense capabilities--and were noted by instructors as
``the best squad seen to date.'' Additionally, Civil
Engineers received many favorable comments for work performed
for the U.S. Border Patrol and on active Air Force
installations.
The unit was able to meet the challenge of the heavy
deployment schedule and maintain its combat readiness status
in spite of having to ground its C-130H fleet in June and
July of 1993 after detecting a manufacturing defect in 38 of
its 48 engines. Maintenance technicians analyzed the
problems, and removed the engines in minimum time while
maintaining a 73.7 mission capable rate for the year. The
rate has steadily risen to an average of 81.7% for 1994 which
is well above the ANG goal. This is exceptional
considering that the unit has exceeded 1,000 hours over
the programmed flying time for the last two years without
increasing maintenance manning.
Wing members established an ``around the clock command
post'', coordinated shifts and personnel, and supported
community agencies when the city was paralyzed with an 18-
inch snowfall and below zero temperatures. Both full-time and
traditional guardsmen, in a volunteer status, transported
medical personnel to hospitals, assisted law enforcement
agencies, and responded to hundreds of calls from citizens in
dire need of assistance.
The 123 AW's humanitarian efforts extended into the local
community as well. The wing's Annual Bean Soup Feast and Open
House netted nearly $8,000.00, with the proceeds being
donated to children's programs in the region. In addition,
the wing collected $3,700.00 for Easter Seals and raised
$35,000.00 for numerous charities through the Combined
Federal Campaign. The 205th Combat Communications Squadron
collected food, money, and clothing to provide family
Christmas gifts through the Salvation Army's ``Angel Tree''
program. The 205 CCS also became involved in the Jefferson
County public schools Community Board Education Program.
Together with the local school system the 205 CCS provided a
myriad of services to the county's mentally disabled enrolled
in the program.
The 123 AW's exemplary record of achievements is reflected
in numerous group and individual awards. The 123d Mission
Support Squadron captured the Outstanding ANG Social Actions
Office of the Year and the FY 92 Zero BMT Elimination's Rate
Award. The 123d Mission Support Flight garnered the
Outstanding ANG Base-Level Information management
organization Award. The 123 AW earned it's third championship
win in the 30th Annual ANG Bowling Tournament. Individual
recognition included the Outstanding ANG Field Grade Officer
Information Manager.
The unit has flown over 88,000 hours and almost 20 years,
through three aircraft conversions, with only one command
controlled Class A mishap for a rate of 1.12 percent. This is
remarkable considering the perilous conditions in which the
unit has operated during the past two years--free of any
command controlled mishaps.
The 123 AW achieved a rare honor for an air guard unit when
it was selected by the state department to serve as
``hermano'' or brother unit to Chile. The program promotes an
international exchange of flying techniques and training
between the units.
Since becoming operational in the C-130H, September 1992,
the 123d had logged 64% of its total flying hours in ``real
world'' missions. Fifty-two percent of those missions, 34% of
the total missions have been flown outside the continental
United States.
The 123 AW is proud of its distinctive accomplishments,
many of which have been achieved at the focal point of
national and world attention. Volunteers from the 123d have
been willing to forsake their own comforts and conveniences
to aid the desperate needs of others. They have sought out
the most demanding missions, accomplished them superbly, and
asked for more. The members of the 123d Airlift Wing stand in
the forefront of airlift operations. The unit is truly
deserving of the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award.
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