[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 147 (Thursday, November 14, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2030-E2031]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO COLONEL THOMAS D. WEBSTER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES T. WALSH

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 14, 2002

  Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, on 2 June 2002, Colonel Thomas Webster 
retired as the Commander of the 152nd Air Operations Group, New York 
Air National Guard in Syracuse, NY. He assumed this position in 
February 1998. The Air Operations Group was established at this time as 
the first ever within the Air National Guard.
  He was assigned as the Director of the Minimum Essential Airfield in 
Rome, New York from October 1995 to February 1998, earning a USAF 
Meritorious Service Medal for his expert leadership and command 
excellence.
  Colonel Webster was born on October 19, 1946, in Rochester, 
Minnesota, and graduated from Lourdes High School. He earned a Bachelor 
of Arts degree in liberal arts from the University of Minnesota in 
1969. He has completed many career-related schools during his military 
career. This includes the Army War College at Carlisle Pennsylvania in 
July 1992.
  Colonel Webster completed Officer Training School in May 1972, and 
joined the 174th Fighter Wing in January 1975. He attended 
undergraduate pilot training at Williams AFB, Arizona and spend several 
years as a traditional guardsman pilot in Ohio and New York while 
continuing his civilian career. He began his full-time military career 
with the 174th Fighter Wing as a Quality Control Officer, and then 
became the Maintenance Squadron Commander in 1985. Colonel Webster was 
assigned as the Maintenance Squadron Commander for the 138th Fighter 
Squadron, 4th Tactical Fighter Wing (Provisional) at Al Kharj Air Base 
in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Shield/Storm. He returned to 
the 174th Fighter Wing as the Maintenance Squadron Commander in May 
1991. In 1992 he became Vice Wing Commander of the 174th Fighter Wing 
and Air Commander of the full-time force.
  Colonel Webster is a command pilot with more than 2,500 flying hours 
in fighter aircraft, including the A-10 and F-16. His military awards 
include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal for his service in 
Saudi Arabia, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Air Force 
Outstanding Unit Award with V and four devices, the Combat Readiness 
Medal with two devices, the National Defense Service Medal,

[[Page E2031]]

the Southwest Asia Service Medal with three devices, the Air Force 
Longevity Service Award Ribbon with four devices, the Armed Forces 
Reserve Medal with one device, the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship 
Ribbon, the Air Force Training Ribbon, and the Kuwait Liberation Medal.
  Colonel Webster is married to the former Denise Schwartz. They live 
in Baldwinsville, New York and have two sons, Paul and Nicholas.

                          ____________________