[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 45 (Tuesday, March 23, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E453]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO BRIGADIER GENERAL JAMES L. MELIN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 23, 2010

  Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to 
an individual from my Congressional District who has dedicated his life 
to defending the people of this country and preserving the basic 
freedoms and liberties that we hold dear. Brigadier General James L. 
Melin, of the United States Air Force Reserve, is a true American hero 
and today I thank him for his 39 years of service. On Saturday, March 
27, 2010, General Melin will be honored at his retirement and Change of 
Command Ceremony at March Air Force Base in California.
  General Melin was commissioned through the ROTC program at St. Louis 
University, Missouri, and graduated in 1971. After graduation, he began 
active duty and completed his flight training at Reese Air Force Base, 
Texas, in 1974.
  During his career, General Melin's assignments included 
Administrative Officer, 1550th Aircrew Training Test Wing at Hill Air 
Force Base; KC-135 Pilot, 28th Bombardment Wing, Ellsworth Air Force 
Base; KC-135 Pilot and Mission Development Officer, 93rd Bombardment 
Wing, Castle Air Force Base; Instructor Pilot, 931st Air Refueling 
Group, Grissom Air Force Base; and Evaluator Pilot, Chief of Plans, 
Chief of Standardization and Evaluation, Director of Training, 
Operations Officer, and Operations Group Commander, 940th Air Refueling 
Wing, McClellan Air Force Base.
  In 1997, General Melin commanded the 434th Operations Group, Grissom 
ARB, Indiana and later assumed command of the 434th Air Refueling Wing. 
Starting in 2006, General Melin took command of the 452nd Air Mobility 
Wing at March Air Force Base in California.
  Throughout his exemplary career, General Melin has flewn over 5,500 
hours and participated in tanker operations in Desert Shield, Desert 
Storm, Joint Forge, Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
  General Melin's awards include the Legion of Merit with oak leaf 
cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Aerial 
Achievement Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement 
Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with ``V'' device and four oak 
leaf clusters, Southwest Asia Service Medal with two bronze stars, 
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kingdom 
of Saudi Arabia), and Kuwait Liberation Medal (Government of Kuwait).
  General Melin will retire from the United States Air Force service 
with more than just his experience, decorated career and remarkable 
accomplishments; his enduring legacy will serve as a shining example 
and constant reminder of what it means to be an American patriot and 
leader. I am grateful for his service and salute him as he retires from 
the Air Force.

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