[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 76 (Tuesday, May 31, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E997]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING COLONEL JAMES SUMMERS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TIM GRIFFIN

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 31, 2011

  Mr. GRIFFIN of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate 
Colonel James Summers on his retirement from the Arkansas Air National 
Guard. Col. Summers served as the Commander of the 189th Airlift Wing 
in the Arkansas Air National Guard at Little Rock Air Force Base in 
Little Rock, Arkansas from November of 2007 until his retirement on 
March 15, 2011.
  Col. Summers joined the Armed Forces as a Marine Officer in 1979. 
During his time in the Marine Corps, he served as a flight line 
division officer for the Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268, a 
United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of CH-46E Sea 
Knight transport helicopters. After his release from the Marine Corps 
in 1985, Col. Summers was commissioned into the United States Coast 
Guard where he flew a variety of aircraft, including the C-130, on 
training and operational missions.
  Col. Summers joined the Arkansas Air National Guard in 1991 as an 
instructor pilot for C-130Es in the 154th Training Squadron. Throughout 
his 20-year service in the Arkansas Air National Guard, Col. Summers 
has been a tremendous leader. His successor Col. Steve Eggensperger, 
who served under Col. Summers as the 189th's Operation Group Commander, 
stated that ``Col. Summers was truly the Top Gun Pilot of the 189th 
Airlift Wing. Not only did he have vast flying experience and great 
stick and rudder skills, but he was a decisive leader who was respected 
by everyone in Team Little Rock, active duty and guard alike.''
  During the recent tragic and destructive storms in Arkansas, Col. 
Summers and other members of the Arkansas Air National Guard responded 
to the call of their communities to help with search and rescue, 
security, transportation, and road clearing. I thank Col. Summers for 
his hard work and leadership during this time when the Arkansas Air 
National Guard was seamlessly assisting with the needs of our State 
while also deploying Airmen overseas to support the war effort.
  On behalf of all Arkansans, I thank Col. Summers for his service to 
our nation and to our great State. Col. Summers's leadership and 
experience were vital to the 189th Airlift Wing, and I know that he 
will be missed. I wish him and his family--his wife, Tina, and their 
three children Matt, Meredith, and Andrew--well in his retirement.

                          ____________________