[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 71 (Thursday, May 17, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E835]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    PAYING TRIBUTE TO U.S. ARMY COLONEL CHANDLER C. (SKIP) SHERRELL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MIKE ROGERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 17, 2012

  Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor U.S. Army 
Colonel Chandler C. (Skip) Sherrell who is retiring after 26 years of 
service to our nation as an Army Aviation Officer. During his 
distinguished career, COL Sherrell served the nation in peace and war 
in numerous positions of steadily increasing responsibility. COL 
Sherrell has led soldiers in combat, trained soldiers for war, and 
served as an advisor and assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs 
of Staff (CJCS), the Chief of Staff of the Army (CSA), and as a DoD 
Fellow to the United States Congress. He has served his Nation in Iraq, 
Saudi Arabia, Bosnia, Germany, and Korea, as well as in demanding 
assignments in the United States. His decorations for his service 
include awards for valor. He is an outstanding Army aviator, leader, 
and soldier, and he is deserving of our recognition.
  COL Skip Sherrell concluded an outstanding career by serving for two 
years as the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army Aviation & Missile Life 
Cycle Management Command (AMCOM). He brought a wealth of expertise in 
aviation operations to the AMCOM Command Group. Prior to joining AMCOM, 
COL Sherrell performed one of the most demanding and critical 
assignments of his career, serving as the Commander of Task Force (TF) 
49. TF 49 was the Army's designation for a composite Aviation Brigade, 
formed from many units to perform combat operations in Iraq. In twelve 
months of intensive flying in multiple locations across Iraq, COL 
Sherrell led TF 49 to complete mission success with an impressive 
safety record--an outstanding achievement.
  COL Sherrell served in a role that few Army officers experience: 
working as the Deputy Legislative Assistant to the Chairman of the 
Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS). Serving as a liaison to Congress as the 
personal representative of the CJCS is an important position, but more 
importantly, he also served as a soldier's advocate on Capitol Hill for 
equipment modernization and improved systems and protection.
  Therefore Mr. Speaker, I ask our colleagues to join me in honoring 
COL Chandler C. (Skip) Sherrell's exceptional service, dedication and 
devotion to duty, leadership, and professional competency. He 
exemplifies the fine tradition of military service and reflects great 
credit upon himself, the Department of the Army, and the United States 
of America. May he know that his nation is greatly appreciative of his 
dedication, and wishes him the best in all his future endeavors.

                          ____________________