[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 136 (Tuesday, September 30, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12188-S12189]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO LIEUTENANT COLONEL TIMOTHY W. COY

 Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, on the occasion of his retirement 
from the U.S. Air Force, I wish to recognize LTC Timothy W. Coy for his 
27 years of dedicated service to our country. In his most recent 
assignment he served as the Chief, Congressional Inquiry Branch, 
Congressional Inquiry Division, Secretary of the Air Force Office of 
Legislative Liaison, where he served as liaison between the Air Force 
and Congress on their constituent issues.
  Lieutenant Colonel Coy was born in 1958 at Bolling AFB, Washington, 
DC. He graduated from Tabb High School in Yorktown, VA, in 1976. He 
holds a masters degree in public administration from the University of 
Wyoming, a bachelor of arts degree from Saint Leo College, and a 
certificate in legislative studies from Georgetown University. He is 
also a graduate of Air Command and Staff College, the Armed Forces 
Staff College, Squadron Officers School, Noncommissioned Officer 
Leadership School, and the Air Force Legislative Fellowship program.
  In August 1976, Lieutenant Colonel Coy enlisted in the Air Force and 
completed basic training at Lackland AFB, TX, in September 1976, and 
performed duties as an administrative specialist. During his 7-year 
enlisted tour, he attained the rank of technical sergeant, and was 
assigned to headquarters, Tactical Air Command, TAC, where he held 
positions in the TAC Directorate of Administration and the TAC Command 
Section. In 1981, he was selected as one of the first members of the 
4450th Tactical Group, Nellis, AFB, NV, the unit responsible for the 
operation of the ten-top secret F-117A ``Stealth Fighter.''

[[Page S12189]]

  In 1982, following a short stint as noncommissioned officer in 
charge, NCOIC, of the Tactical Fighter Weapons Center, TFWC Command 
Section, then-Staff Sergeant Coy was selected for assignment to the 
USAF ``Thunderbirds'' Aerial Demonstration Team, where he performed 
duties as NCOIC of Thunderbird administration. After attaining the rank 
of technical sergeant in 6 years, he received his commission through 
Officers Training School (OTS) in 1984.
  Following OTS graduation, Lieutenant Colonel Coy completed Minuteman 
III training at Vandenberg AFB, CA, as a ``Top Performer,'' and was 
assigned to the 320th Strategic Missile Squadron at F.E. Warren, AFB, 
WY. He performed duties as a standardization and evaluation missileer, 
and following his upgrade to crew commander, was selected to become the 
aide-de-camp for then BG Arlen D. Jameson, commander of the 4th Air 
Division. This job took him back to Vandenberg AFB as aide-de-camp and 
executive officer for Maj. General Jameson at the 1st Aerospace 
Division. In January 1990, he was selected as one of Strategic Air 
Command's top missileers for assignments to the TOP HAND Program. 
Lieutenant Colonel Coy served as launch director and test manager, and 
was involved in 20 Minuteman III and Peacekeeper test launches.
  In June 1992, he was selected as part of the initial cadre of 
personnel in the newly established Headquarters Air Combat Command at 
Langley AFB, VA, where he served in the deputy chief of staff, Plans 
and Programs as chief of the ICBM Plans Section. When the ICBM mission 
moved to Colorado Springs, CO, at the Air Force Space Command in June 
1993, Lieutenant Colonel Coy became the force applications mission area 
planner for the Directorate of Plans. In June 1966, he moved to the 
21st Space Wing Plans Office where he became the chief of the Future 
Systems Branch. His office was responsible for SBIRS planning, the 
Clear Radar Upgrade, and conducted planning in support of National 
Missile Defense and other programs totaling over $14 billion.
  He was then selected for assignment to the Joint Staff J-3 Defense 
Space Operations Division, DSOD, in December 1997. Lieutenant Colonel 
Coy assumed his duties in the Theater Missile and Air Defense branch, 
which included the National Missile Defense program, and participated 
in development of a common operating picture for the warfighter. He was 
also a qualified space surveillance officer in the National Military 
Command Center.
  In 1998, Lieutenant Colonel Coy was selected as one of nine Air Force 
legislative fellows, and served as my Air Force fellow in my 
Washington, DC office. He worked defense issues, specifically space 
issues. His insight and knowledge was invaluable as a new member of the 
Senate Armed Services Committee.
  In November 1999, he returned to the Pentagon as the chief of 
legislative affairs for the United States Joint Forces Command, where 
he advocated JFCOM programs on Capitol Hill. In July 2001, Lieutenant 
Colonel Coy was given the additional responsibilities as the director 
of the Washington Liaison Office, and U.S. liaison officer to the 
Supreme Allied Commander, Atlantic. On November 1, 2002, he assumed his 
current position as the chief of the Congressional Inquiry Branch.
  A master space and missile operator, Lieutenant Colonel Coy's 
decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, five 
Meritorious Service Medals, the Air Force Achievement Medal with two 
oak leaf clusters, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, and the Air 
Force Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters. Additionally, he 
was awarded the Colorado Meritorious Service Medal by the Adjutant 
General, Colorado National Guard.
  Tim was married for 20 years to the late Barbara L. Suiter and has 
two children; Brian, a sophomore at James Madison University in 
Harrisonburg, VA, and Laura, a senior at Woodbridge Senior High School. 
He has proven himself to be a top officer, loving husband, and a caring 
father. I am very proud to call Tim ``one of my own'' and wish him the 
best as he moves on to his next journey.

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