[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 104 (Wednesday, July 27, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1649]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING SRA JOHN A. LOCKHEED, AIR NATIONAL GUARD ``OUTSTANDING 
                                AIRMAN''

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GREG WALDEN

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 27, 2005

  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, colleagues, I rise to honor an 
esteemed member of the United States Air Force, Senior Airman John A. 
Lockheed, an Air Traffic Control Journeyman with the 270th Air Traffic 
Control Squadron stationed at Kingsley Field in Oregon's Second 
Congressional District.
  The United States Air Force has presented Airman Lockheed with their 
most prestigious award and the Force's highest honor for an enlisted 
member of the Air National Guard by selecting him as 2005's most 
``Outstanding Airman,'' an honor given to only one enlisted Air 
National Guard member each year.
  The Air Force boasts a long tradition of talent, service and 
dedication, so to be recognized as one of the elite speaks volumes of 
Airman Lockheed's abilities and outstanding performance.
  After volunteering for deployment to Iraq in support of Operation 
Iraqi Freedom, Airman Lockheed was quickly certified to control air 
traffic. The Air Force so trusted his skill, they selected him to be 
the facility trainer for incoming personnel. His duties ranged from 
rapidly securing airspace clearances for aircraft evacuating wounded 
troops to controlling aircraft returning from completed missions, and 
he was the watch supervisor's choice for handling even the most complex 
traffic issues.
  Ever ready and capable of tackling challenging situations as they 
arose, Airman Lockheed immediately assumed control of half of Iraq's 
airspace on one occasion when another center lost radio and radar 
coverage.
  In addition to volunteering for a 120-day extension of his tour in 
Iraq, Airman Lockheed extended his spirit of service beyond traditional 
roles. He was active in a program that delivered school supplies to 
children called ``Operation Crayon,'' served on the Kingsley Field 
Honor Guard, was the unit Combined Federal Campaign Representative, and 
volunteered with the local Boy Scouts.

  Most impressive is that this record of accomplishment has been built 
in a short amount of time. Airman Lockheed, 21, enlisted in the Oregon 
Air National Guard in 2002 and just completed basic training and air 
traffic control school in 2003.
  America's men and women in uniform are truly the finest in the world, 
and this tradition of excellence continues through the service of 
patriots like Senior Airman John Lockheed. A simple thank you cannot 
fully express my gratitude for his commitment and dedication.
  I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Airman 
Lockheed on this prestigious award. The United States Air Force and the 
entire United States of America are extremely fortunate to benefit from 
his service. It is an honor to represent him in the United States 
Congress.

                          ____________________