[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 67 (Thursday, May 25, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E880]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO CHIEF MICHAEL R. OBLEMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN M. McHUGH

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 25, 2000

  Mr. McHUGH. Mr. Speaker, on 9 February, 2000 Chief Master Sergeant 
Michael R. Obleman retired as the Chief of the Munitions Element for 
the 174th Fighter Wing, Hancock Field, New York Air National Guard in 
Syracuse NY. He assumed leadership of the Munitions Element as a Master 
Sergeant in January of 1982. Previously he worked as a Supervisor for 
the Weapons Loading Section.
  Chief Obleman was born on 1 April, 1948 in Pulaski, New York where he 
still resides. He graduated from North Syracuse Central High School in 
June of 1967. In August 1967 he joined the United States Marine Corp 
where he was an Aviation Ordnance Man. He served in Vietnam from 18 
June, 1969 through 9 June, 1970. He was discharged from the Marines in 
August of 1971. In the Marine Corp he attained the rank of E-5. In the 
Marines he received the following awards and decorations: National 
Defense Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/palm, the 
Vietnamese Service Medal with 1 device, the Purple heart, the Good 
Conduct Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with device.
  After his discharge from the Marines he worked a civilian job at 
Rumsey Distributing from October 1971 to December of 1974. In April 
1973 he joined the 174th Fighter Wing as a traditional guardsman. On 22 
December, 1974 he became a full time technician in the Weapons Loading 
Section. He worked in Weapons Loading until June of 1982 when he 
assumed leadership of the Munitions element as a Master Sergeant. He 
achieved the rank of Senior Master Sergeant on 15 November, 1987. On 31 
August, 1990 he was awarded the rank of Chief Master Sergeant.
  As Chief of the Munitions element he recognized that the current 
procedure for uploading 30-millimeter ammo onto the A-10 aircraft could 
be accomplished in a safer and more efficient manner. He initiated a 
design change to the GFU-7 loading system for use with the 30-
millimeter GPU-5 gun pods. This design change allowed the GPU-5 gun pod 
to be loaded in the Munitions Storage Area instead of the flight line 
resulting in less people and aircraft being exposed to a potentially 
dangerous explosive operation. High levels of Command visited the 174th 
Fighter Wing to observe the new method he developed. The GPU-5 30-
millimeter gun pod was combat tested during Operation Desert Storm.
  Under his leadership the Munitions Element received excellent ratings 
on all major inspections. Chief Obleman was instrumental in the 
planning of the initial setup and the successful ongoing operation of 
the Forward Operating Location at Wheeler-Sack Air Field for the A-10 
and F-16 aircraft, part of the only live fire range in the Northeast.
  Chief Master Sergeant Michael R. Obleman has 32 years, 6 months and 1 
day of dedicated military service. Four years of this service was with 
the Marines and the remainder of service was with the 174th Fighter 
Wing, Hancock Field. His Air Force Awards and Decorations include the 
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Medal with 6 devices, the Air Force 
Longevity Service Award with 6 devices, the National Defense Service 
Medal with 1 device, the South West Asia Service Medal with 2 devices, 
the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 1 Device, the Kuwait Liberation 
Medal Saudi Arabia, the Kuwait Liberation Medal Kuwait, the Air Force 
Outstanding Unit Award with 4 devices and the Meritorious Service 
Medal.
  Chief Obleman married Nancy Condon on 10 May, 1969. He has three 
children Michael, Lorianne, and John. Lorianne is married to Trevor 
Quig, and are the parents of his granddaughter, Adrianna.

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