[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 85 (Thursday, June 7, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1010]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRESSWOMAN HONORS THE CAREER OF CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT JOHN A. ELDER, 
               RETIRING FROM THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. CATHY McMORRIS RODGERS

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 7, 2012

  Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
exemplary career of Chief Master Sergeant John A. Elder, a great 
military leader in the United States Air Force. After thirty years of 
exceptional service to the Air Force, we celebrate Chief Elder's 
retirement and reflect back on a career of distinguished 
accomplishments.
  Originally from South Boston, Virginia, in July 1982, Chief Elder 
enlisted in the Air Force and reported for Basic Military Training to 
Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. After graduating from the Biomedical 
Equipment Maintenance Technician (BMET) course and completing his first 
operational assignment at Blytheville Air Force Base, Arkansas, he 
relocated to the Department of Defense's largest contingency hospital 
located at Royal Air Force Little Rissington in England. There, he 
played an integral role in establishing the first Contingency Medical 
Equipment Repair Center which serviced all contingency hospitals in 
Europe.
  In 1990, Chief Elder was selected as an Air Training Command 
technical training instructor at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. There, 
he taught basic and advanced BMET courses before being selected as a 
curriculum developer. Chief Elder was then selected as the Air Force 
representative for tri-service consolidation of BMET training. He was 
instrumental in the successful consolidation of Army, Navy and Air 
Force BMET training and the design and construction of a new, first of 
its kind, $16 million Department of Defense BMET training facility.
  During his assignment at Sheppard Air Force Base, Chief Elder 
received several honors including Air Education and Training Command 
READY Augmenter of the Year, 882d Training Group NCO of the Year, 384th 
Training Squadron NCO of the Year, and DoD Biomedical Equipment 
Technician of the Year. Additionally, Chief Elder earned his 
international certification as a Biomedical Equipment Technician and 
was awarded the Airman's Medal for heroism for his lifesaving actions 
during an off-base house fire.
  After serving in Alabama and Virginia, in 2007, Chief Elder arrived 
at Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane, Washington to serve as the 92d 
Medical Group superintendent. One of Chief Elder's most notable 
achievements was during his time as superintendent of the 332d 
Expeditionary Medical Group, Joint Base Balad, Iraq, where he led 357 
members at the Air Force Theater Hospital to a 98% survival rate during 
combat operations. His leadership and dedication was instrumental to 
unit moral and the medical care rendered to our wounded warriors.
  Additionally, since his arrival at Fairchild Air Force Base, the 92d 
Medical Group has been recognized with numerous Air Force, Command and 
individual awards. Chief Elder also provides strategic guidance, 
direction and leadership on all issues affecting the professional 
development, mentorship, and proper utilization of assigned enlisted 
personnel in support of 30,000 beneficiaries in the greater Spokane 
area.
  So, today I urge all of my colleagues to join me in thanking Chief 
Master Sergeant John A. Elder for his service and celebrating his 
lifelong commitment to the United States Air Force and the 92d Medical 
Group at Fairchild Air Force Base. We are all grateful for John's 
unwavering dedication to our country and for all of his 
accomplishments--he is a true American patriot.

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