[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 30 (Wednesday, March 18, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E407]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO COL. BEN ORRELL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB SCHAFFER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 18, 1998

  Mr. BOB SCHAFFER of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
Colonel Ben Orrell upon his retirement from the United States Air Force 
after serving our great nation for 30 exemplary years. For the past 
four years, Colonel Orrell has held the distinguished position of the 
United States Special Operations Command Chairman for the National War 
College. Shortly after joining the faculty, Ben established a solid 
reputation not only among academicians and students, but leading 
professionals in the field, national leaders, and prominent think 
tanks, as THE authority on special operations. His strong background as 
a command pilot with 3,800 flying hours and 400 overarching combat 
missions spanning conflicts in Vietnam, Panama during Just Cause, and 
in Iraq, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm, brings 
unprecedented expertise and credibility to this position. Ben is 
routinely sought by the military leadership and academics for his 
first-hand knowledge and advice regarding national security issues. His 
complete understanding of Special Ops, coupled with his vast command 
and combat experience and demonstrated sound judgment, have directly 
benefited the United States Air Force. Commissioned through the Air 
Force Reserve Officer Training Corps in 1968, Colonel Orrell began his 
distinguished career as a C-141 pilot stationed at McChord Air Force 
Base, Washington. In 1971, he flew HH-53 helicopters at Nakhom Phanom 
Royal Thai Air Base, in Thailand. Among Colonel Orrell's many 
assignments he was an HH-53 helicopter instructor pilot at Hill Air 
Force Base, Utah; a public affairs officer at Kirtland Air Force Base, 
New Mexico from 1976-1979; and as the Director of Aircrew 
Standardization and Evaluation for the Aerospace Rescue and Recovery 
Service at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.
  Colonel Orrell continued to demonstrate his leadership abilities by 
being assigned as the Commander of the 55th Aerospace Rescue and 
Recovery Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida from 1984 to 1987; 
Assistant Deputy Commander for Operations and Deputy Commander for 
Operations with the 1st Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, 
Florida; Vice Wing Commander and then as Wing Commander of the 39th 
Special Operations Wing at Royal Air Force Alconbury, United Kingdom 
from 1991 until 1994, when he was assigned to his current position. 
Colonel Orrell's military decorations include the Air Force Cross, the 
Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross with 
one oak leaf cluster, the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal 
with three oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal with nine oak leaf 
clusters, the Aerial Achievement Medal, the Joint Service Commendation 
Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal. He has served with great 
distinction and has earned our respect and gratitude for his many years 
of unselfish service to our nation's defense.
  It is with great pride that I congratulate Ben upon his retirement 
and wish he and his wife, Linda, all the best as they move on to face 
new challenges and rewards in the next exciting chapter of their lives.

                          ____________________