[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 147 (Tuesday, October 13, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2508-E2509]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT JOSEPH E. BARRON RETIRES AFTER 30 YEARS SERVICE 
                    WITH THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. CATHY McMORRIS RODGERS

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 13, 2009

  Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize CMSgt 
Joseph E. Barron on the occasion of his retirement from the United 
States Air Force.

[[Page E2509]]

  Chief Master Sergeant Barron hails from Morristown, NJ, where he 
graduated from Parsippany Hills High School and entered the Air Force 
in 1979. He assumed his duties as Command Chief Master Sergeant, Air 
Mobility Command, in April 2006. His work as an administrative 
specialist involved him with tours with the Air Force Office of Special 
Investigations and Air Force Recruiting Service. Additionally, Chief 
Master Sergeant Barron served in multiple units as a first sergeant 
both in the United States and overseas, where during Operations Desert 
Fox and Allied Force he was instrumental in the initial bed down, troop 
support, and morale for the largest combat air refueling wing in Air 
Force history. His work with Air Mobility Command's critical aero 
medical evacuation mission helped to facilitate the rapid movement of 
over 23,000 injured warriors to United States medical facilities with a 
remarkable 98 percent combat-casualty survivability rate.
  Beginning in September 2007, Chief Master Sergeant Barron helped lead 
Air Mobility Command's Total Force Team with tremendous impact. Here, 
his extraordinary leadership inspired Air Mobility Command's 132,000 
Total Force Airmen to successfully accomplish more than thousands of 
sorties transporting over 4 million passengers, nearly 2 million tons 
of cargo, and offloading over 3 billion pounds of fuel. Air Mobility 
Command forces also completed over 43,000 theater-direct delivery 
sorties, delivering thousands of combat troops, tons of cargo and mine-
resistant ambush-protected vehicles in support of two overseas 
contingency operations.
  Through the work of Chief Master Sergeant Barron the Mobility Air 
Force was ready to respond when Hurricanes Gustav and Ike ravaged the 
gulf coast, generating 564 sorties transporting 8,863 passengers and 
delivering 1,223 tons of humanitarian supplies. However, Chief Master 
Sergeant Barron is most proud of his involvement after Hurricane 
Katrina, where he provided crucial support to the devastated region.
  Madam Speaker, CMSgt Joseph E. Barron's selfless dedication to the 
service of his country is honorable and worthy of recognition. I 
believe I can speak for the airmen of Air Mobility Command in saying 
that his dedication has positively impacted those with whom he has 
served during his years with the Air Force and I join with them in 
congratulating him on his retirement and a job well done.

                          ____________________