[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 79 (Friday, June 3, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1041-E1042]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE DEDICATED SERVICE OF MAJOR BRIAN J. THOMPSON, UNITED 
                          STATES MARINE CORPS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, June 3, 2011

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
retirement of Major Brian J. Thompson, United States Marine Corps, 
after 20 years of faithful service to his Nation.
  Major Thompson graduated from Dowling College in Long Island, New 
York in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautics and 
Management. He earned his commission as a second lieutenant through the 
Marine Corps Platoon Leaders Course in June 1991. Following his 
graduation from the Basic School in 1992, he reported to Naval Flight 
Training in Pensacola, Florida, earning his wings in March of 1993.
  Following UH-1N replacement pilot training, he reported to the 
``Gunrunners'' of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269 (HMLA-
269) in New River, North Carolina. While assigned to HMLA-269 he 
deployed with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464 aboard the USS Wasp, 
during which he participated in Operation Strong Resolve as the H-1 
Schedule Writer. Major Thompson then completed two deployments with 
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 162, cruising aboard the USS Guam and 
the USS Saipan. During these deployments, he participated in Operations 
Joint Endeavor, Assured Response, Quick Response, and Balkan Calm/
Silver Knight, while serving in a variety of billets, including: Flight 
Line Officer, Squadron Weapons and Tactics Officer, Future Operations 
Officer, and Operations Officer.
  In March 1999, Major Thompson reported to Naval Air Station Pensacola 
to serve as a

[[Page E1042]]

flight instructor. This tour saw him serve as the Assistant Operations 
Officer and Operations Officer of Helicopter Training Squadron 18.
  In October 2001, Major Thompson was accepted into the Strike 
Transition Program. He reported to Naval Air Station Meridian, 
Mississippi for jet training, then to Naval Air Station Oceana, 
Virginia for F-18 replacement pilot training. In March 2004, he joined 
the ``Checkerboards'' of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312 at Marine 
Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, where he served as the S-4 
Officer, Director of Safety and Standardization, and Executive Officer. 
Following this tour he reported to Marine Aircraft Group 42 in Atlanta, 
Georgia in October 2006 to serve as the group's Operations Officer.
  In June 2008, Major Thompson became the Air Operations Officer for 
the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit in Okinawa, Japan. In this role, he 
directed all flight operations both ashore and aboard three air-capable 
ships for three squadrons. In July 2009, he reported to Training Wing 
Six in Pensacola, Florida to serve as the Standardization and Training 
Officer. He also served as the Integrated Project Team Lead for the 
Undergraduate Military Flight Officer Program.
  Major Thompson accumulated more than 3,800 flight hours during his 
career. His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, 
the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Navy and Marine 
Corps Achievement Medal. He has been married for 17 years to Monica 
Miller Thompson, with whom he has a 5-year-old son, William Joseph 
Thompson.
  As a skilled naval aviator and leader of Marines, Major Thompson 
embodies the American virtues of service and sacrifice.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am honored to 
congratulate Major Thompson on his retirement. My wife Vicki and I wish 
him and his family all the best for continued success.

                          ____________________