[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 79 (Friday, June 8, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6005-S6006]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                           131ST FIGHTER WING

 Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize one of the 
greatest air-superiority Wings in the Nation and its great leaders. On 
June 9th, 2001 Colonel Michael G. Brandt assumes command of the 131st 
Fighter Wing, Lambert Field, Missouri from Colonel Bob Edmonds. This 
Wing has tremendous aviation history and has 1,300 citizen-airmen who 
are dedicated and committed to service of their Nation.
  The 131st Fighter Wing's mission is to achieve and maintain air 
superiority with the F-15 Eagle--the finest air superiority plane in 
the world today. The Wing has been called into service to battle the 
``Great Flood'' of 1993 and has deployed to Incirlik, Turkey in support 
of Operation Northern Watch. The Wing has also supported Aerospace 
Expeditionary Force Operations, deploying to Southeast Asia and Europe 
to support Operation Southern Watch. The accomplishments of the 
leadership and the men and women of this Wing have maintained the great 
heritage of Lambert Field, and kept it one of the finest Wings in the 
Nation.
  Colonel Edmonds will relinquish command of the 131st to Colonel 
Brandt. Colonel Edmonds graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1979 as 
a distinguished graduate and the top cadet in the Civil Engineering 
major. He was selected for a Guggenheim Fellowship at Columbia 
University and graduated in 1980 with a Master of Science Degree in 
Civil Engineering. Colonel Edmonds completed Undergraduate Pilot 
Training at Columbus AFB, Mississippi, as a distinguished graduate, and 
was selected to fly the F-15 Eagle. He has served in numerous flying 
positions, both as an instructor pilot and a commander, and led 45 
combat missions with the 53rd Tactical Fighter Squadron during 
Operation Desert Storm.
  Colonel Edmonds deserves our utmost thanks too for his tremendous 
leadership of the 131st. The men and women of the unit and the 
community will be forever grateful for his contributions and 
patriotism. We will soon be seeing Colonel Edmonds on a much more 
regular basis, as he will be walking the halls of Congress as the Chief 
of Senate Legislative Affairs. His tremendous success will certainly 
follow him there and I know we all look forward to working with him in 
that capacity.
  Assuming command of the 131st is certainly a highlight in Colonel 
Brandt's career. He graduated from Officer Candidate School at Lackland 
Air

[[Page S6006]]

Force Base in Texas over 30 years ago. Since then, his career 
flourished as he piloted the F-4, becoming a Veteran of conflicts from 
Vietnam to Operation Northern Watch. He is also a graduate of the 
legendary U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons School.
  Colonel Brandt joined the Missouri National Guard over 20 years ago. 
During that time he served in every capacity of Operations. He was the 
Squadron Commander of the 101st Fighter Squadron and the Operations 
Group Commander and Vice Wing Commander of the 131st Fighter Wing. His 
dedication and talents were recognized along the way and as a reward he 
was given ever increasing responsibility. He will now receive the 
ultimate reward, command of the 131st. There is no doubt he is the best 
choice to command the 131st. His exemplary record and knowledge of the 
Missouri National Guard, the Wing, and the community make him the right 
leader, ready to provide ``Air Superiority--Anywhere, Anytime.''
  I am sure my colleagues will join me in thanking both Colonel Edmonds 
and Colonel Brandt for their service to this great Nation and extend 
our best wishes for continued success.

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