[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 56 (Thursday, April 2, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H4488]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          WELCOME TO NEW COMMANDERS AT FORT POLK AND BARKSDALE

  (Mr. FLEMING asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. FLEMING. Madam Speaker, tomorrow, the 94th Brigade Support 
Battalion, part of the 10th Mountain Division's 4th Brigade Combat 
Team, will welcome Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Coston as its new 
commander at Fort Polk in Louisiana.
  Lieutenant Colonel Coston most recently served as a joint logistics 
staff officer in Washington, D.C. He is a well-decorated and well-
respected soldier, and I congratulate him on his new command at Fort 
Polk.
  At the other military installation in my district, Barksdale Air 
Force Base, Colonel Steven Basham assumed command of the 2nd Bomb Wing 
earlier this week. And may I add that Barksdale was selected today for 
Global Strike Command.
  Colonel Basham is a command pilot with more than 3,300 flying hours 
and served as director of operations for the first combat deployment of 
the B-2 bomber during Operation Iraqi Freedom. His leadership has been 
commended throughout his career, and I am confident he will be an 
exemplary leader for the airmen under his command at Barksdale.
  I welcome both officers to my district and thank them for their 
dedication to the defense of this Nation.

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