[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 57 (Monday, May 2, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S2577]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO COLONEL JEFFREY TALIAFERRO

 Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Mr. President, today I wish to 
recognize the work and military service of COL Jeffrey Taliaferro, who 
is concluding a 2-year stint as commander of the 28th Bomb Wing, 
Ellsworth Air Force Base. During the past 2 years, Colonel Taliaferro 
has commanded the largest B-1 combat wing in the U.S. Air Force and 
will now move on to the Pentagon as Chief, Combat Forces Division at 
Headquarters, USAF-A8PC.
  Colonel Taliaferro's command tenure at Ellsworth Air Force Base is 
the latest in a long line of impressive assignments. He received his 
commission from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1989 and has served in a 
variety of flying and staff positions. His staff experience includes 
positions with U.S. Air Force headquarters, Office of the Secretary of 
Defense, and U.S. Central Command. He is a command pilot with over 
2,400 flight hours in the B-1 and T-38.
  During his 2 years at Ellsworth Air Force Base, a large number of 
base personnel have been deployed to support Operation Iraqi Freedom, 
Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Odyssey Dawn, as well as 
numerous other missions. During my years in Congress, I have always 
been impressed with the high degree of patriotism, expertise, 
commitment and dedication of the Ellsworth personnel and the base's 
leadership command. Those qualities have been continued in the great 
leadership of Colonel Taliaferro.
  I have appreciated Colonel Taliaferro's work on a number of issues 
impacting Ellsworth Air Force Base and the Air Force in general. He has 
promoted and developed great relationships with the South Dakota 
congressional delegation and their staffs, with South Dakota State 
officials, Black Hills mayors and local officials, as well as the media 
and local citizens. He has worked to communicate the intricacies and 
details of a number of issues to officials and the general public, 
including the proposed expansion of the Powder River Training Complex, 
privatization of base housing to the local community, the status and 
effectiveness of the B-1 Lancer fleet, the status of the new MQ-9 
mission at Ellsworth, and efforts to support deployed personnel and 
their families.
  Colonel Taliaferro has provided oversight on a number of 
infrastructure changes at Ellsworth during his command and has 
continued to enhance the great relationship between Ellsworth Air Force 
Base and the local communities. Few bases enjoy such a friendly working 
relationship with local businesses and the general public as Ellsworth 
does with the Black Hills communities, and I commend Colonel Taliaferro 
for his ability to promote this relationship.
  I have appreciated the insight and input from Colonel Taliaferro and 
his staff over the past 2 years. I have had the opportunity to visit 
the base on a number of occasions during Colonel Taliaferro's time at 
Ellsworth, and I appreciated his candor. He is a true patriot and a 
tremendous asset to the U.S. Air Force. I commend Colonel Taliaferro 
for his service to Ellsworth Air Force Base and wish him, Ellie, and 
their family all the best in future endeavors.

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