[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 107 (Tuesday, July 27, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1662-E1663]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN ALEXANDER J. SABOL ON HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE UNITED 
                          STATES NAVAL RESERVE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALAN B. MOLLOHAN

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 27, 1999

  Mr. MOLLOHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Captain Alexander J. 
Sabol for his distinguished career and retirement from the United 
States Naval Reserve.
  Captain Alexander J. Sabol was born in Stuebenville, OH, on December 
14, 1952. He was raised in the steel town of Weirton, WV, and graduated 
from Weir Senior High School in 1970. In December 1974, he graduated 
from West Liberty State College, WV, with a bachelor of science degree 
in business administration with a speciality in marketing.
  Captain Sabol entered the Navy through the Aviation Reserve Officer 
Candidate Program at Pensacola, FL, in August 1974 and was commissioned 
an ensign on April 1975. He was assigned to training squadrons VT-1, 
VT-2, HT-8, and HT-18 at NAS Whiting Field, FL, from March 1975 to July 
1976 and earned his wings and was designated a naval aviator in July 
1976.
  Captain Sabol served his first tour as a T-28B/C instructor pilot and 
ground safety officer from August 1976 to September 1978. In September 
1984, he transferred to HM-12, NAS Norfolk, VA, as a pilot under 
instruction to qualify in the RH-53D, Sea Scallion helicopter to 
conduct missions in Airborne Mine Countermeasures. From April 1979 
through February 1981, he served his first Fleet tour with HM-16, NAS 
Norfolk, VA performing duties as communications officer and avionics/
weapons officer. He then transferred to shore duty in February 1981 to 
HM-12, NAS Norfolk, VA, and served as a RH-53D instructor pilot, 
assistant operations officer, RH-53D NATOPS officer, RH-53D model 
manager, COMNAVAIRLANT RH-53D NATOPS evaluator, and assistant 
maintenance officer until October 1985. He also served in a temporary 
duty status as the HM class desk to COMHELTACWING ONE, NAS Norfolk, VA, 
from April 1984 until November 1984.
  Captain Sabol joined the Naval Reserve and was selected for the 
Training and Administration of the Reserves Program in October 1985 
where he was assigned to the Naval Air Reserve Norfolk, VA, as the HM 
program manager and the naval air coordinator for the establishment of 
HM-18. In September 1986, he was assigned to HM-18 as operations 
officer, security officer, and RH-53D NATOPS officer. He then 
transferred to COMHELWINGRES, NAS North Island, CA as the first HM 
class desk, COMNAVAIRESFOR RH-53D NATOPS evaluator, and the Naval Air 
Reserve coordinator for the establishment of HM-19 from November 1987 
to June 1989. He then was assigned as the officer-in-charge of HM-18, 
Norfolk, VA, from June 1989 to July 1991. From July 1991 to December 
1993, he served as the executive officer and later as the commanding 
officer of HM-19, NAS Alameda, CA. He then attended the Naval War 
College, Newport, RI, from December 1993 until March 1995 and received 
a master of arts degree in national security and strategy and policy.
  He then received orders to the staff of the Chief of Naval 
Operations, Director of Naval

[[Page E1663]]

Reserves in the Pentagon, Washington, DC, from March 1987 to November 
1996 serving as the Manpower Branch head and then late as the Director, 
Manpower, Personnel, Training, and Mobilization. In November 1996, he 
was assigned to the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for 
Reserve Affairs in the Materiel and Facilities Deputate as the Director 
of Materiel.
  Among his awards and decorations are the Meritorious Service Medal 
with one star, Navy Commendation Medal with one star, Navy Achievement 
Medal, navy Unit Commendation with one star, Meritorious Unit 
Commendation with two stars, Battle ``E'' ribbon with two ``E''s, Navy 
Expeditionary Medal with one star, National Defense Service Medal, Sea 
Service Deployment Ribbon with one star, and Armed Forces Reserve Medal 
with Bronze Hour Glass. He was appointed to the rank of captain on 01 
August 1996.
  Captain Sabol resides in Centerville, VA, with his wife Anne, also of 
Weirton, WV, and their two children, Bryon (19) and Alexis (16).

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