[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 39 (Wednesday, March 17, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E399-E400]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 COMMENDING THE PUBLIC SERVICE OF NCIS SPECIAL AGENT RICHARD J. CLOONAN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 17, 2010

  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute 
to Special Agent (SA) Richard J. Cloonan, Deputy Assistant Director, 
Counterintelligence Program, for the Naval Criminal Investigative 
Service (NCIS). SA Cloonan retired from that organization on March 3, 
2010 after 29 years of service, and following 33 years of Federal 
Service. I am pleased to say that SA Cloonan is one of my constituents 
from Manassas, VA.
  SA Cloonan began his career with the then named Naval Investigative 
Service (NIS) in August 1981 at NIS Resident Agency (NISRA) Point Loma, 
CA. He subsequently transferred to the NISRA Naval Station in San 
Diego, CA. In August 1984, SA Cloonan transferred to the Washington 
Field Office (DCWA). During his time at DCWA, SA Cloonan participated 
in several landmark counterintelligence (CI) investigations including 
the Walker Family Spy Ring, the Jonathan Pollard Spy case, the Clayton 
Lonetree investigation and the subsequent BOBSLED Task Force. Also 
while at DCWA, SA Cloonan was appointed the ``Mount Up'' team leader. 
The ``Mount Up'' team formed the basis of what is now the Navy's 
Personal Security Operation (PSO).
  In 1987, SA Cloonan transferred to NCIS Headquarters and was detailed 
to the Department of the Navy's Special Programs Office, and while 
there he provided comprehensive CI protection to the most sensitive 
Navy research and technology, to include the USS Sea Shadow, the Navy's 
STEALTH Ship prototype. In

[[Page E400]]

1988, shortly before the Berlin Wall came down, SA Cloonan deployed to 
East Berlin in support of a sensitive Resource and Technology 
Protection (RTP) espionage investigation. SA Cloonan recalls most 
vividly those anxious minutes passing thorough ``Check Point Charley.'' 
In December 1989, SA Cloonan transferred to NCIS Field Office (NCISFO) 
Norfolk and was detailed to US Atlantic Command as the Deputy CI Staff 
Officer. While in that position, SA Cloonan coordinated the force 
protection support to Operation Uphold Democracy, the US/UN Operation 
in Haiti.
  SA Cloonan was promoted in 1995 and assigned as the Resident Agent in 
Charge (RAC) at NCISRA London, UK. Under his leadership, NCISRA London 
received wide recognition for its collection on terrorism in the UK. In 
coordination with Scotland Yard, SA Cloonan and the late SA Tom 
Marzilli provided significant high value information concerning Al 
Qaeda Networks operating within the UK and Europe to the Intelligence 
Community.
  In July 1999, SA Cloonan transferred back to NCISFO Norfolk as the 
acting Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) for CI and was promoted 
in September 2001. At that time, SA Cloonan was the NCIS Senior 
Representative to FBI Headquarters and his first day was September 10, 
2001. Following the tragic events of September 11, 2001, SA Cloonan 
played a key role for the Department of Defense in the FBI's Special 
Information Operations Center (SIOC) and the follow on PENTTBOM 
investigation. SA Cloonan was a plank owner with the new National Joint 
Terrorism Task Force (NJTTF) and launched the NCIS' Joint Terrorism 
Task Force and Force Protection Detachment (FPD) programs.
  In January 2004, SA Cloonan was promoted to GS-15 and assigned as the 
Counterintelligence Support Officer (CISO) to US Pacific Command in 
Hawaii. SA Cloonan orchestrated the CI/FP support to Joint Task Force 
Provide Promise, the US response to the devastating 2005 Tsunami in 
Banda Ache, Indonesia.
  In August 2008, SA Cloonan returned to NCIS Headquarters as the 
Deputy Assistant Director (DAD), Counterintelligence Program Direction.
  SA Cloonan plans to remain in the Washington, DC area with his 
family. After taking some well deserved time off from working, SA 
Cloonan will continue to serve his country working for the National 
Geospatial Agency (NGA) as a CI advisor.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in thanking SA 
Cloonan for his 33 years of outstanding public service and to wish him 
fair winds and following seas as he begins the next chapter in his 
life.

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