[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 89 (Monday, June 25, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1192]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          TRIBUTE TO CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT DALE E. BUCKINGHAM

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 25, 2001

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, let me take this means to pay tribute to 
Chief Master Sergeant Dale E. Buckingham upon his retirement from the 
United States Air Force.
  Chief Master Sergeant Buckingham has served our nation with honor and 
distinction for over 30 years, and his performance throughout his 
career has been characterized by the highest standards of professional 
ethics and commitment to the military. He grew up in Lowville, New 
York, and graduated from Lowville Academy and Central School in 1970. 
He entered the Air Force in 1971 and attended basic training at 
Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Chief Master Sergeant Buckingham was 
assigned to the 4642 Air Defense Squadron (SAGE) at Malmstrom Air Force 
Base, Montana, in 1972.
  Chief Master Sergeant Buckingham's record of service is outstanding. 
In 1976, he was selected to be a recruiter with the 2543rd USAF 
Recruiting Squadron where he was named rookie recruiter of the year. In 
the following year he received the gold bald eagle signifying top 
recruiter and recruiting excellence. In 1983, Chief Master Sergeant 
Buckingham was assigned to Strategic Air Command Headquarters at Offutt 
AFB, Nebraska. While there, he served with the 1st Combat Evaluation 
Squadron and Strategic Air Command Bombing and Navigation Division.
  Chief Master Sergeant Buckingham, in 1987, was selected for the 
Defense Attache System being posted at the American Consulate in Hong 
Kong. Two years later he was reassigned to the American Embassy, 
Ankara, Turkey, as the Operations Coordinator. Following the completion 
of his tour in Ankara, Turkey, he was then assigned to Whiteman AFB, 
Missouri, and the 509th Bomb Wing. At Whiteman, he served as the base's 
chief of information management responsible for over 100 information 
managers. Chief Master Sergeant Buckingham was then assigned as the 
superintendent of the information systems flight in the Communications 
Squadron. In March 1998, he developed and established the First Term 
Airmen Center to help ease the transition for young airmen moving to 
Whiteman. He became the Command Chief Master Sergeant in March of 1999.
  Chief Master Sergeant Buckingham's awards include the Defense 
Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Meritorious 
Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters 
and the Southwest Asia Service Medal.
  Chief Master Sergeant Buckingham is married to the former Christina 
Kay Rockey of Hiawatha, Kansas, and they have two daughters.
  Mr. Speaker, I am certain that my colleagues will join me in wishing 
Chief Master Sergeant Buckingham and his wife, Christina, all the best. 
We thank them for over 30 years of service to the United States of 
America.

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