[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 92 (Monday, June 18, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1058-E1059]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




COLONEL TODD P. ``SLEDGE'' HARMER RETIRES AFTER 26 YEARS' SERVICE WITH 
                      THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. HOWARD P. ``BUCK'' McKEON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 18, 2012

  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and pay tribute to 
Colonel Todd P. ``Sledge'' Harmer on the occasion of his retirement 
from the United States Air Force.
  I have had the pleasure of working with Sledge on a number of 
occasions during his tenure in the Air Force House Liaison Office, and 
greatly appreciate his professionalism, knowledge, and dedication, 
which has benefited me personally, as well as numerous other Members 
and staff.
  Colonel Harmer has given much to this Nation through his dedicated 
and selfless service. His Air Force career started the day he arrived 
at the U.S. Air Force Academy in June of 1982. He established himself 
as a serious student with a great aptitude for flying. Upon graduation 
on May 28, 1986 with a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical 
engineering, Lt Harmer was competitively selected among pilot training 
selectees to attend Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training, Lead-In Fighter 
Training, and F16C Operational Course, excelling in each course. He was 
assigned to the 14th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Misawa AB, Japan 
where he started flying combat training missions and preparing for 
greater aerial tasks. His superiors rated him the ``best wingman in the 
squadron'' and recognized him as a gifted fighter pilot. As a new 
Captain, he was upgraded to instructor pilot (IP) and mission commander 
in absolute minimum time, then selected to be a Standardization/
Evaluation Flight Examiner because of his great flying skill and 
leadership. He was reassigned to the 69th Fighter Squadron at Moody 
AFB, GA as an IP and Chief of Weapons and Tactics. He was certified as 
combat-ready, and qualified in air-to-surface, air-to-air and nuclear 
roles. To no one's surprise, he was selected to attend the coveted F 16 
Fighter Weapons Instructor Course, and completed it with honors. He 
went on to complete Squadron Officer School, again completing it with 
honors and the designation of Distinguished Graduate. He returned to 
the 69th Fighter Squadron for a few years to train and evaluate pilots, 
and contributed greatly to the success of this important fighter 
squadron. Captain Harmer was reassigned to the 23rd Operations Support 
Squadron at Pope AFB, NC where he was responsible for planning and 
coordinating F 16 employment supporting contingencies, exercises and 
readiness inspections. After serving as a flight commander and IP, he 
was sent overseas to serve in the 36th Fighter Squadron, Osan AB, 
Republic of Korea. He was hand-picked to command a flight of fighter 
pilots flying wartime taskings in a upgraded F 16C. His superiors 
identified him as an ``aviator without peers'', and the ``greatest 
contributor to the combat readiness of the most forward deployed 
fighter squadron in the Air Force.'' He was promoted to the rank of 
Major and give greater responsibility as the Assistant Operations 
Officer, and later the Aide-de-Camp to the Seventh Air Force Commander, 
Lt General Joseph Hurd. General Hurd recognized his superior airmanship 
and trusted counsel and called him the finest aide he had ever seen. 
Sledge was sent to the U.S. Naval War College and earned a Master of 
Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies, then went on to 
the Air Force's School of Advanced Airpower Studies and spent a year 
excelling in a rigorous curriculum. Following this, newly promoted Lt 
Colonel Harmer was assigned to the prestigious Checkmate Division at 
the Pentagon to lead the European Command Pacific Command Branch. There 
he continued to contribute, lead and inspire his research teams through 
keen analysis and writings. Senior Air Force leadership had been 
impressed with his papers and reports over the years, but his writings 
would receive special recognition while in Checkmate and would help 
shape the employment and advancement of air and space power. Perhaps 
more importantly, however, Lt Colonel Harmer would become an impact 
strategist and leader in the days following 9 11. He led teams 
developing Air Force position on Grand Military Strategy, air and space 
operations plans, combat search and rescue, and the air attack plan for 
Operation Enduring Freedom. His years of training, education and 
performing every mission in a superb manner would help him to continue 
on the track to senior leadership. He was assigned as the Commander, 
63rd Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, AZ and given the difficult task of 
commanding in the Air Force's largest fighter wing. He did not 
disappoint. He set the benchmark for training and air operations. 
Following this assignment, Lt Colonel Harmer would attend National War 
College at Fort McNair in Washington, DC and receive a Master of 
Science in National Security Strategy, and the designation of 
Distinguished Graduate. He would spend the following year in Turkey as 
an Executive Officer to the Commander of CC Air and 16th Air Force, 
and, U.S. Senior National Representative, Allied Air Component Command 
HQ Izmir. He was promoted to Colonel and assigned as the Vice

[[Page E1059]]

Commander to a very demanding and active fighter wing, 388th FW, Hill 
AFB, UT, and to prepare him to later command his own wing, the 33rd 
Fighter Wing, Eglin AFB, FL. His boss, Lt General Gary North, tasked 
him to direct important sorties such as protection to POTUS, space 
shuttle and several deployments at home and abroad. General North also 
hand-picked Colonel Harmer for a demanding position in Iraq's Ministry 
of Defense where he led a highly specialized planning and training 
team, and advised the U.S. Forces-Iraq leadership on sensitive Arab-
Kurd issues. Upon returning to the U.S., the Air Force continued to 
challenge Sledge by assigning him to one of the most demanding 
positions within the Air Force, his current job as the Chief of Air 
Force House Liaison. Since June 2010, Sledge has advised the Secretary 
of the Air Force, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, the Director of 
Legislative Liaison, and numerous other senior military and civilian 
leaders on issues of the greatest concern to HQ Air Force and the 
Congress. He has more than served as a liaison between the Pentagon and 
the Hill, he has developed and improved key relationships that help us 
make better decisions about the Air Force. He is extremely intelligent 
and articulate, and has helped shape my thinking and influenced many 
Members of Congress. Simply, we trust him!
  Colonel Harmer is a command pilot with over 3,300 flying hours 
primarily in the F 15 and F 16. He is the recipient of the following 
major medals and decorations for his service and accomplishments: the 
Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air 
Force Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal, 
Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Combat 
Readiness Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces 
Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, 
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Korean Defense Service 
Medal, and the NATO Medal.
  Throughout his distinguished career he has represented our country 
and Air Force with dignity and honor, and this is why I am so 
privileged to pay tribute to this fine Airman. Mr. Speaker, on behalf 
of the Congress and the United States of America, I thank Colonel Todd 
Harmer, his wife Stacie and their daughters, Jordan, Leigh and Erika, 
for their service and sacrifices over the past 26 years. I wish them 
Godspeed, and continued happiness as they start a new chapter in their 
lives.

                          ____________________