[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 140 (Thursday, October 8, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1957-E1958]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF COMMANDER JAMES E. BURD

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT A. BORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 7, 1998

  Mr. BORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my deepest 
congratulations to Commander James E. Burd, the Commanding Officer of 
the Naval Air Technical Services Facility, on his retirement.
  Commander Burd was born in Harrisburg and raised in Pittsburgh, 
Pennsylvania. In 1975 he graduated from the United States Naval Academy 
and he obtained of his pilot wings a year later.

[[Page E1958]]

  He was initially assigned to a Helicopter Combat Squadron and flew an 
H-46D helicopter aboard the USS White Plains (AFS-4), USS Midway (CV-
41), and USS Niagara Falls (AFS-3) in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. In 
1980, Commander Burd received his Masters Degree in Aeronautical 
Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School. He also attended the 
Defense Systems Management College where he issued over 2,200 
individual engineering safety clearances for almost every aircraft and 
aviation weapon system in the Navy and Marine Corps inventory, in 
addition to the prototype and classified systems successfully employed 
during Desert Storm. While aboard the USS Shasta (AE-33), he 
demonstrated true heroism by helping to save an aircraft from a 
ditching situation. By 1984, he was appointed as an Aeronautical 
Engineering Duty Officer, yet he still found the time to volunteer as a 
Detachment Officer in Charge of a helicopter deployment aboard USS 
Flint (AE-32).
  Commander Burd continued to advance his career in the Navy when he 
was promoted to the position of Project Officer for the Presidential 
Helicopter Program and qualified as Aircraft Commander in the CH-53A. 
Eventually, he became the Vertical Flight Program Director for the 
Naval Air Development Center in Warminster, Pennsylvania.
  After returning to San Diego in 1994, he became the Helicopter Class 
Desk Officer for COMNAVAIRPAC. Commander Burd now had the enormous 
responsibility of being in charge of more than 700 Navy and Marine 
Helicopters stationed throughout the Pacific Fleet. He continued to 
excel in his career and by 1994 he was designated as the first 3.3 
Technical Data Department Head of the Naval Aviation Systems TEAM.
  Incredibly, Commander Burd's personal awards are as impressive as his 
career's track record. He has been honored with the Meritorious Service 
Medal along with two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals. He also 
received four separate citations for various at sea rescues and 
emergency recoveries while piloting both H-46 and H-53 helicopters.
  I am more than honored to join Commander Burd's wife, Nancy and his 
son, Andy, in congratulating him for a job well done. He is an American 
hero who was dedicated his life to his family and community, as well as 
preserving the safety of our nation. I wish him the best of luck in the 
endeavors that follow his retirement.

                          ____________________