[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 113 (Thursday, July 29, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1480]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 COLONEL JEFFREY A. ``TANK'' KOCH RETIRES AFTER 22 YEARS SERVICE WITH 
                      THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. HOWARD P. ``BUCK'' McKEON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 29, 2010

  Mr. McKEON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and pay tribute 
to COL Jeff ``Tank'' Koch on the occasion of his retirement from the 
United States Air Force.
  I have had the pleasure of working with Colonel Koch on a number of 
occasions during his tenure here in the House, and have greatly 
appreciated his professionalism, knowledge, and dedication, which I 
know has benefited me personally, as well as numerous other members, 
and countless staff.
  So it goes without saying that Colonel Koch's professional 
achievements are numerous, but I know would be the first to state that 
none of them would have been possible without the love and support of 
his wife and family. Throughout Colonel Koch's service to our country, 
his wife, Tracey, has been his mainstay and a selfless partner. Her 
balance and calm has seen their family through multiple moves to 
military bases within the U.S. and overseas. Together with their 
children, Caleb and Abby, the Koch family has endured the challenges 
and sacrifice of family separation and relocations. Each member of the 
Koch family has made a significant contribution to the U.S. Air Force 
and our great Nation.
  Colonel Koch has led an enviable career. After receiving his 
commission through the Reserve Officers Training Corps at Troy State 
University in 1987, Colonel Koch proceeded to numerous distinguished 
assignments. With his new pilot wings and assignment to the A-10 
Thunderbolt fighter jet, Colonel Koch served in the 92nd Tactical 
Fighter Squadron at RAF Bentwaters, UK flying 37 operational combat 
missions over Northern Iraq in direct support of Operation PROVIDE 
COMFORT. With help from the 92nd's armed reconnaissance and close air 
support missions, thousands of starving Kurdish refugees received life-
sustaining food and supplies.
  After this, Colonel Koch served as an instructor pilot at the U.S. 
Air Force Academy, returned to the A-10 to fly missions in Korea, and 
instructed at the same Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training program he 
completed earlier in his career. Colonel Koch also served as flight 
commander in the 358th Fighter Squadron, executive officer for two 
commanders of the 12th Air Force, and Chief of Offensive Operations at 
the AFSOUTH Combined Air and Space Operations Center. He also served as 
a Presidential Advance Team Agent--and a Capitol Hill Fellow for 
Congressman Jim Gibbons of Nevada. This successful arc continued with a 
stint in the Air Force's Programs directorate as the Chief of the Joint 
Strike Fighter Programming office and command of the 557th Flying 
Training Squadron. These successful milestones were recognized with 
assignment to one of DoD's most challenging senior developmental 
education opportunities, the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. 
Following ICAF, Colonel Koch received a follow-on assignment back to 
the Pentagon as a Senior Readiness Analyst for the Deputy Under 
Secretary of Defense for Readiness.
  Perhaps the most challenging assignment was his final one as Chief of 
the Air Force House Legislative Liaison Office. This seasoned aviator 
and Command Pilot with more than 3,000 flight hours in five different 
aircraft has been a trusted and articulate voice for the Air Force on 
Capitol Hill.
  Colonel Koch has excelled throughout his distinguished career and I 
am honored to pay tribute to this Airman. Madam Speaker, on behalf of 
Congress and the United States of America, I thank COL Jeff Koch, his 
wife Tracey and their children, Caleb and Abbey, for their service to 
our country. I wish them Godspeed, and continued happiness as they 
start a new chapter in their lives.

                          ____________________