[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 90 (Wednesday, June 22, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1167]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING COLONEL FRANK K. BROOKS' 30 YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE UNITED 
                            STATES AIR FORCE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 22, 2011

  Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and pay tribute to 
Colonel Frank K. Brooks for his 30 years of exceptional service and 
dedication to the United States Air Force. He retired from active duty 
on May 31, 2011.
  Colonel Brooks was born in New Roads, Louisiana. He was commissioned 
as a second Lieutenant in the Air Force in 1981, upon his graduation 
from the United States Air Force Academy. In 1982, he completed his 
Master of Science in Information Systems at Washington University in 
St. Louis, MO. Following graduate school, his operational assignments 
included duties as a Computer Program Design Engineer at Scott Air 
Force Base, Illinois and as the Chief of the Data Systems Branch for 
the Secretary of the Air Force Special Projects Office.
  Over the past two years, Colonel Brooks has served as the Chief 
Information Officer of Joint Force Headquarters National Capital 
Region, United States Northern Command, where he was responsible for 
the coordination of interoperable emergency communications with defense 
mission partners in the National Capital Region. His efforts have 
provided for robust and reliable command and control systems to enable 
defense support to civil authorities. He has integrated cyberspace 
operations and planning into the JFHQ-NCR mission, making it one of the 
first domestic commands to integrate full-spectrum information 
operations in the Air Force. His thoughtful management, aggressive 
integration of emerging technologies, and active engagement with 
interagency partners has made the National Capital Region safer and 
better prepared to respond to any emergency. His adherence to the 
highest standards of professional conduct is a credit to all that wear 
the uniform of the United States Air Force.
  Prior to his current assignment, Colonel Brooks served as the Deputy 
Chief, United States Military Training Mission, Riyadh, Royal Kingdom 
of Saudi Arabia. On behalf of the Department of the Air Force, he 
managed the exchange of critical military information systems and 
communications technologies with the military forces of Saudi Arabia.
  Colonel Brooks has served in a variety of staff and leadership 
positions both stateside and overseas. He has served in a variety of 
operational and staff positions in the communications and space career 
fields, including one group command, five squadron commands, Secretary 
of Defense Fellowship (Netscape/AOL), Education with Industry (Boeing), 
Air Force Communications Agency, National Reconnaissance Office, the 
Joint Staff and special operations, as well as director of 
communications and information systems for two major commands.
  I would like to give my sincere thanks to Frank, his wife Penelope, 
and their daughters Lauren and Nicole for their unwavering support of 
our country and the freedom we hold so dear. We congratulate Colonel 
Brooks on the completion of an exemplary active-duty career and wish 
him well in the next phase of his life.

                          ____________________