[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 97 (Friday, July 21, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1476]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT DAVID G. HARLOW FOR HIS 29 YEARS OF 
                   MILITARY SERVICE TO THIS COUNTRY.

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JOE BACA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 20, 2006

  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, as another Fourth of July has passed us by, 
Americans are again reminded of the sacrifices so many have made and 
continue to make in order to protect the freedoms we enjoy today. None 
of these freedoms would be possible if it weren't for the brave men and 
women of our United States Armed Forces.
  I stand here today to honor one such individual, Chief Master 
Sergeant David G. Harlow. On August 26, 2006, Chief Harlow will retire 
from reserve duty, after more than 29 years of federal military service 
in the defense of our great nation.
  Chief Harlow was born in Riverside, California, and attended Charter 
Oak High School, where he excelled at Track and Field. After his 
graduation from Charter Oak, he enlisted in the United States Air Force 
in July of 1966. Upon completion of his basic training at Lackland Air 
Force Base in Texas, Chief Harlow was assigned to Whellus Air Force 
Base in Libya, where he worked in information management. In July of 
1968, he was reassigned to the 7272nd Fighter Interceptor Squadron, at 
Kingsley Field in Oregon, where he served as an Information Management 
Specialist.
  Upon completion of his active duty service in July of 1970, Chief 
Harlow was licensed by the Department of Treasury as an International 
Customs House Broker in the cargo industry. Over the next few years, 
Chief Harlow became known as one of the top professionals in his field, 
and in 1980 he authored a book entitled ``Importer's Guide to U.S. 
Customs.''
  In August of 1981, Chief Harlow entered the Air Force Reserves at 
Norton Air Force Base in California, and was placed in the 445th Aerial 
Port Flight, where he became the Unit Training Manager. In July of 
1985, he was reassigned to the 37th MAPS unit at March Air Force Base 
where he eventually became the Superintendent of Operations. In 1989, 
Chief Harlow was promoted to the rank of Master Sergeant. In November 
of 1990, he was reassigned to Saudi Arabia in support of operation 
Desert Storm, and served as his unit's Deployment Team Chief.
  Upon his return from Operation Desert Storm, Chief Harlow was awarded 
the ``Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year'' award and was 
promoted to the rank of Senior Master Sergeant. Later, he was 
reassigned to the 56th Aerial Port Squadron, where he introduced a set 
of training exercises known as the Aerial Port Field Exercises. This 
program trained Aerial Port Squadrons in the areas of mobility 
deployment and chemical attack survival. Chief Harlow's program was so 
successful that it led to the 56th Aerial Port Squadron being awarded 
the Air Force's prestigious ``Aerial Port of the Year Award''.

  In June of 2000, Chief Harlow was promoted to the rank of Chief 
Master Sergeant and became the Superintendent of Squadron Operations. 
In June of 2005 he was reassigned to the 50th Aerial Port Squadron as 
Superintendent of Squadron Operations.
  Chief Harlow has received numerous decorations including the Air 
Reserve Meritorious Service Medal with Seven Oak Leaf clusters, the Air 
Force Commendation Medal, the Air force Achievement Medal with two Oak 
Leaf clusters, the National Defense Service Medal, the Southwest Asia 
Service medal, the Kuwait Liberation Medal, the Global War on Terrorism 
Service medal, the Air Force Good Conduct medal, and the National 
Defense Service Medal.
  Throughout his extraordinary service to our country, Chief Harlow has 
always been a dedicated and loving family man. He is married to his 
wonderful wife, Laurie Harlow. Together they have two sons, David and 
Daniel, as well as four grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with an extreme sense of respect and pride that I 
stand here today to recognize Chief Master Sergeant David G. Harlow. 
His contributions to his family, the United States Air Force, and this 
great nation serve as a wonderful example of patriotism for all 
Americans to follow.

                          ____________________