[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 118 (Friday, August 3, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1445]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING COLONEL PAUL H. GUEMMER FOR HIS SERVICE AS COMMANDER OF THE 
           92ND AIR REFUELING WING, FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. CATHY McMORRIS RODGERS

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 3, 2012

  Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
exemplary service of Colonel Paul H. Guemmer, Commander, 92nd Air 
Refueling Wing, Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington.
  After receiving his commission as a Distinguished Graduate from the 
Reserve Officer Training Corps, Col. Guemmer has held multiple flying 
assignments as an aircraft commander, instructor, and examiner pilot. 
Prior to assuming command at Fairchild, Col. Guemmer commanded at the 
squadron level, including a deployment as an expeditionary operations 
support squadron commander. His previous staff experience also includes 
tours in the Air Staffs Joint Requirements Oversight Council Issues and 
Actions Division and the Joint Staff J-3's Readiness Division and 
Multinational Operations Division. Col. Guemmer also deployed as the 
Vice Wing Commander for the 379 Air Expeditionary Wing.
  Since assuming command at Fairchild two years ago, Col. Guemmer has 
overseen many improvements on the base. These improvements include 
completion of a nearly 14,000 foot runway, a new fitness center, and 
even more recently, ground breaking on a new wing command headquarters. 
Each of these improvements represents an investment in Fairchild's 
future. While the physical improvements cannot be understated, even 
more important is the investment Col. Guemmer has made to solidify the 
relationship between the Air Force's 92nd Air Refueling Wing and the 
Air National Guard's 141st Air Refueling Wing. Under Col. Guemmer's 
leadership, the association between the 92nd and the 141st Air 
Refueling Wings has become one of the gems in the Air Mobility 
Community when it comes to utilization, collaboration, deploying to 
common locations and maintenance.
  Mr. Speaker, Col. Guemmer has made caring for Fairchild's airmen and 
airwomen and their families a top priority. Whether serving a 
Thanksgiving meal to those unable to make it home for the holidays or 
taking time to speak to the ``Caring for People Summit'', Col. Guemmer 
has tirelessly worked to improve the quality of life for Eastern 
Washington's servicemen and women and their families.
  So, today I urge all of my colleagues to join me in thanking Colonel 
Paul H. Guemmer for his service to the United States Air Force and the 
92nd Air Refueling Wing at Fairchild. I am grateful for Paul's 
unyielding dedication to our country and for all of his accomplishments 
as Commander of the 92nd Air Refueling Wing. While I look forward to 
hearing of his future successes as Deputy Director (Military) Strategy, 
Policy, Programs and Logistics Directorate at Scott Air Force Base, 
Paul and his family will be greatly missed in Eastern Washington.