[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 67 (Friday, May 22, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E979]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


            CONGRATULATIONS TO SENIOR AIRMAN ANDRE L. WALKER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 22, 1998

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor for me to bring to the 
attention of the House of Representatives and the American public the 
distinguished honor of a fellow Missourian. Senior Airman Andre L. 
Walker, of St. Louis, was recently chosen as the Air National Guard 
Airman of the Year.
  Senior Airman Andre L. Walker is a Satcom/Wideband Communications 
Specialist assigned to the 239th Combat Communications Squadron as a 
TRC-170 tactical communications terminal crew member, Missouri Air 
National Guard Base, Lambert Field, St. Louis, Missouri. He is 31 years 
old and was born in St. Louis, Missouri. He attended McCluer Senior 
High School and was a member of the school football team and the Future 
Business Leaders of America (FBLA).
  After graduation from high school, Airman Walker was locally employed 
while attending S. Louis Community College's Florissant Valley and 
Forest Park campuses. He graduated with honors from Forest Park 
Community College with an Associate of Arts degree in Business 
Administration. He then went on to continue his education at the 
University of Missouri, St. Louis campus.
  In July 1995 Airman Walker enlisted in the Missouri Air National 
Guard, and was sent to Basic Military Training in September of the same 
year. He was selected as flight leader (Dorm Chief) and his flight had 
the overall highest score in intrasquadron competition. After 
completing BMT, Airman Walker attended Satcom/Wideband Specialist 
Training at Keesler AFB, Mississippi, where he was a student leader and 
member of the drill team in his squadron.
  After graduating from technical school, he volunteered to assist a 
Civil Engineering squadron install fiber optics lines on Spangdahlem 
Air Base, Spangdahlem, Germany. Airman Walker was recognized as an 
outstanding performer for his efforts during the project. In August 
1996 Airman Walker volunteered to serve in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 
support of Operation Southern Watch. He received an Air Force 
Commendation Medal for his performance there.
  Airman Walker returned home in January 1997 and assisted the 131st 
Fighter Wing in its' Mobility Warehouse Reorganization Project in which 
he and his team completed the task in eighty percent of its estimated 
time. His team received recognition for its Superior Performance. He 
subsequently served as an augmentee for the 107th Air Control Squadron 
during their Operational Readiness Exercise, and afterward he returned 
to the Middle East for a second tour. Upon his return home in June 1997 
he assisted his squadron in preparing for their upcoming Operational 
Readiness Exercise until August 1997. After the August Operational 
Readiness Exercise, he was recognized as a Superior Performer by his 
squadron for his efforts during the Operational Readiness Exercise. 
Airman Walker subsequently returned to Phoenix, Arizona, in September 
to assist the 107th Air Control Squadron in their Operational Readiness 
Inspection. While there, he and two others discovered and extinguished 
a brush fire on the Fort Huachuca Army Base, preventing potential 
injury to military personnel and equipment. Airman Walker was again 
recommended for the Air Force Commendation medal for his efforts there, 
confirmation of his decoration is pending.
  His military awards include the Air Force Commendation Medal, 
National Defense Service Medal, Joint Forces Expeditionary Medal, and 
Air Force Overseas Short Ribbon.
  Mr. Speaker, I am certain that the Members of the House will join me 
in congratulating Andre L. Walker as the Air National Guard's Airman of 
the Year.

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