[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 42 (Tuesday, March 27, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E458]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT MARK W. CHARLTON, AIR 
               NATIONAL GUARD, FOR HIS DEDICATED SERVICE

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                          HON. PAUL E. GILLMOR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 27, 2001

  Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to 
pay special tribute to an outstanding Non-Commissioned Officer in the 
Ohio Air National Guard. Chief Master Sergeant Mark W. Charlton is 
retiring after a distinguished career of over 34 years in the United 
States armed forces, most recently with the 200th RED HORSE Squadron as 
the Vehicle Maintenance Superintendent and Logistics Manager.
  Chief Charlton began his service to his country as an active duty Air 
Force Generator/Barrier Maintenance NCO. His first duty assignment took 
him to 6314th Civil Engineering Squadron, Osan Air Base, Korea, where 
he performed maintenance and repair of generator and aircraft arresting 
barrier systems.
  After leaving active duty to become a member of the Ohio Air National 
Guard, 200th RED HORSE Squadron, Chief Charlton served as the full-time 
Aircraft Arresting Systems Barrier Team Chief for over 17 years, 
requiring him to spend numerous weeks away from his home, family and 
unit. His barrier team supported numerous deployments worldwide 
insuring safety of flight, life and equipment in performance of fighter 
aircraft operations.
  Chief Charlton was instrumental in the success of the world-wide RED 
HORSE realignment and conversion process for both active duty and Air 
Reserve component forces enabling the vehicle sustainment, reallocation 
and acquisition process to drive change and successful support of the 
new RED HORSE Concept of Operations. During his assignment as Non-
Commissioned Officer-In-Charge of Vehicle Maintenance, Chief Charlton 
consistently insured a unit vehicle-in-commission rate of 94% enabling 
the unit to respond to any type of military crisis world-wide, anytime, 
anywhere, within hours of notification.
  Chief Charlton's dedication and service have earned him the highest 
regard for his character, professionalism and dedication as a Citizen-
Airman. His exceptional knowledge of RED HORSE is universally known 
throughout the active duty and Air Reserve forces military community. 
No award is more appropriate, nor more fulfilling for him, than the 
knowledge that his efforts helped give America a clearer understanding 
of the important work of America's men and women in uniform.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask each of my colleagues to join me in extending 
Chief Master Sergeant Mark W. Charlton our very best wishes as he 
begins this exciting new chapter in his life. Mark Charlton has earned, 
many times over, the title of Citizen-Airman and Patriot. May he fully 
enjoy the blessings of the very freedom he has so ably defended as a 
Non-Commissioned Officer in the Air National Guard.




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