[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 116 (Thursday, September 9, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1817]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO BRIGADIER GENERAL JAMES H. BAKER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 8, 1999

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, today I wish to recognize the outstanding 
achievement of Brigadier General James H. Baker, who will retire from 
the Missouri Air National Guard on September 17, 1999, after 37 years 
of extraordinary service to our nation.
  Brigadier General Baker is originally from Knoxville, Tennessee, and 
graduated from Florida State University in 1962. In November 1962, 
Brigadier General Baker enlisted in the Air Force and was commissioned 
a second lieutenant in February 1963. After graduating from Air Weapons 
Controller School in 1963, he was assigned to the 728th Tactical 
Control Squadron at Ft. Bragg, where he performed extensive temporary 
assignments in both Thailand and the Republic of Vietnam. Brigadier 
General Baker was then selected to become the Operations Officer of the 
729th Tactical Control Squadron at Eglin AFB, where he tested and 
implemented the concept of a forward Air Control Post and deployed to 
the Dominican Republic.
  In July 1965, Brigadier General Baker returned to the United States 
and served as Operations Training Officer at the 727th Tactical Control 
Squadron at Walker AFB, New Mexico, where he was augmented as a regular 
officer in the USAF. Brigadier General Baker then served as an advisor 
to the Nationalist Chinese Tactical Control Center at Taipel Air 
Station, Taiwan, in August 1966. He returned to the United States as a 
Captain and was assigned as Assistant Professor Aerospace Studies at 
the University of Mississippi, where he taught Military History, 
Military Management, Leadership and Air Force Organization, and served 
as Commandant of Cadets.
  In September 1971, Brigadier General Baker was assigned to the 
Command Advisory Function (for special projects), 314th Air Division in 
Osan AG, Korea. Later that year, he also was selected to command a 
remote radar site at Kang Nung AB, Korea. When he returned to the 
United States, Brigadier General Baker assumed the position of Director 
of Operations for the 727th Tactical Control Squadron, and later became 
Chief, Standardization and Evaluation for the 602nd Tactical Air 
Control Wing at Bergstrom AFB, Texas, until his resignation from the 
regular Air Force in May 1976.
  In June 1976, Brigadier General Baker joined the Missouri Air 
National Guard as both the Air Technician and Military Commander of the 
157th Tactical Control Flight. While at Jefferson Barracks Air National 
Guard Base, Brigadier General Baker assumed the positions of Base 
Commander, Air Technician Commander, 157th Tactical Control Group 
Commander, and Executive Support Staff Officer. He became the Assistant 
Adjutant General for Air and was promoted to Brigadier General in 
January 1996.
  Mr. Speaker, Brigadier General Baker has dedicated his life to our 
nation. He has served our nation with great honor and distinction. I 
know the Members of the House will join me in offering congratulations 
to Brigadier General Baker and his family--his wife Kathryn, his 
daughters, Kimberly, Sarah, and Susan, and his sons Bret and Sam; and I 
wish them all the best in the years ahead.

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