[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 91 (Friday, July 1, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1440]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1440]]
   HONORING COLONEL JOHN D. GUMBEL, USMC, ON HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE 
                       UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. WALTER B. JONES

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 30, 2005

  Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 
fine service of a good friend and outstanding American, Colonel John D. 
Gumbel, Commanding Officer of the Naval Air Depot located aboard Marine 
Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina.
  A native of California, Colonel Gumbel received his Bachelor of Arts 
degree in Economics from UCLA in 1977 and his Master of Science degree 
in Defense Systems Analysis from the Naval Postgraduate School, 
Monterey, CA in 1987. He is also a 1998 distinguished graduate of the 
Industrial College of the Armed Forces with a Master of Science in 
National Resource Strategy and a graduate of the Program Managers 
Course at Defense Systems Management College, Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
  Commissioned through Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC), 
Colonel Gumbel then followed The Basic School in Quantico, VA with 
Aviation Supply Officer training in Athens, GA. In April 1978, Colonel 
Gumbel transferred to the Western Pacific (WESTPAC) for a year where he 
worked as an aviation supply officer with Marine Air Groups 12 and 15 
and as the embark officer for the 31st Marine Amphibious Unit. Colonel 
Gumbel next transferred to Pensacola for Naval Flight Officer training 
and was designated a Naval Flight Officer in March 1980. Following 
Electronic Warfare training at Mather Air Force Base and EA-6B training 
at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, WA, Colonel Gumbel was designated 
an Electronic Countermeasures Officer (ECMO). He reported to Marine 
Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 2 (VMAQ-2) in June 1981 where he 
served as an ECMO and a maintenance officer. He deployed twice to 
WESTPAC and aboard the USS Saratoga in the Mediterranean before 
transferring to the Naval Postgraduate School in 1985. He served his 
postgraduate payback tour as the Reserve Enlisted Manpower Analyst at 
Headquarters Marine Corps from 1987 to 1990. Following Aviation 
Maintenance Officer School and refresher training in the EA-6B, Colonel 
Gumbel reported to VMAQ-2 in January 1991 in Shaik Isa, Bahrain, for 
service during the Gulf War. He served as the maintenance officer for 
VMAQ-2 after their return to the U.S. and as the Executive Officer of 
VMAQ-2 (Det. X) and later as the Executive Officer of VMAQ-1 following 
VMAQ-2's split into VMAQ-l, 2, and 3 in June 1992. He deployed to 
WESTPAC with VMAQ-1.
  Colonel Gumbel transferred to Naval Air Systems Command in June 1994, 
where he served as the EA-6B Class Desk until July 1997. He attended 
the Industrial College of the Armed Forces during the 1997-98 class 
year and reported to the Joint Staff in June 1998. During his two-year 
joint tour, Colonel Gumbel worked in J-39, Information Operations, 
where he focused on Electronic Warfare and special access program 
issues. From June 2000 to June 2001, Colonel Gumbel was the Military 
Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, 
Development and Acquisition. In July 2001, Colonel Gumbel reported for 
duty to Naval Aviation Depot Cherry Point, NC.
  Naval Air Depot Cherry Point is responsible for providing 
maintenance, engineering and logistics support on a variety of military 
aircraft, engines and components. Employing over 4,000 personnel, the 
facility is North Carolina's largest industrial employer east of 1-95 
and is a valuable asset to our nation's military. In 2004, under his 
command, the depot rebuilt 462 engines for our Navy and Marine Corps 
helicopters that are currently relied upon to transport our troops in 
the global war on terror.
  Colonel Gumbel's personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious 
Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal Strike/Flight 
numeral I, Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Joint Service 
Achievement Medal, and Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
  Mr. Speaker, today marks the end of Colonel Gumbel's 27 year career 
in the United States Marine Corps, but although he no longer wears the 
uniform, he will forever be a Marine. I would like to wish Colonel John 
Gumbel the best success as he enters a new chapter in life and to thank 
not only him, but also his wife Stacy and their three children Evan, 
Andrew, and Cameron for their loyal service to this Nation.

                          ____________________