[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 76 (Tuesday, May 20, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S3179]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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             TRIBUTE TO TECHNICAL SERGEANT MICHELE L. JONES

 Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Madam President, I wish to recognize TSgt 
Michele L. Jones, originally from Pawcatuck, CT, on the occasion of her 
retirement from the U.S. Air Force. Since enlisting in the Air Force on 
December 17, 1992, she has served honorably all over the world--Iraq, 
Japan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Korea--while participating in and 
directly supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring 
Freedom.
  Technical Sergeant Jones started her career as an information 
management apprentice at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, NE. Following 
that post, she was transferred in 1995 to Kunsan Air Force Base in the 
Republic of Korea, the first of many demanding overseas assignments. 
She then served at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama from 1997 to 1999.
  Continuing her rise through the ranks, Technical Sergeant Jones 
served again in the Republic of Korea, at Osan Air Force Base, from 
1999 to 2000. This was immediately followed by a 7-year tour in Japan 
with the 35th Civil Engineer Squadron at Misawa Air Force Base, where 
she served in the Big Sister Program and the Special Olympics.
  As a noncommissioned officer, Technical Sergeant Jones was recognized 
as a top leader and expeditionary airman. While in Japan, she deployed 
to Saudi Arabia and Iraq and distinguished herself while serving with 
the Civilian Police Assistance Training Team in Baghdad. During this 
tour, she earned high praise from LTG David Petraeus, then the 
commanding general of Multi-National Security Transition Command--Iraq. 
In addition to the personal recognition she has received, Technical 
Sergeant Jones' hard work and leadership helped her units earn awards 
as top commands in Japan and the Air Force.
  Following these demanding operational tours, Technical Sergeant Jones 
transferred to Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada in 2007. Assigned as the 
563rd Rescue Group's information manager, she once again deployed to 
Iraq in 2008, serving as the noncommissioned officer-in-charge, Task 
Force 134 in Baghdad, Iraq. She returned to Nellis Air Force Base and 
served in the 53rd Test and Evaluation Group before deploying in 2010 
to Qatar. There, she served as the noncommissioned officer in charge of 
protocol at Al Udeid Air Base, supporting Operations Enduring Freedom 
and New Dawn.
  Finally, during Technical Sergeant Jones' long and exemplary career, 
she has interacted regularly with Congress. While deployed to MacDill 
Air Force Base, where she supported U.S. Central Command, or CENTCOM, 
Technical Sergeant Jones coordinated Congressional delegation visits to 
the CENTCOM Area of Responsibility, which included Iraq and 
Afghanistan. The able travel assistance she offered to Members of 
Congress and senior Defense Department leaders earned personal 
recognition from the Secretary of Defense, Secretary of State, and Vice 
President of the United States. Since 2012, Technical Sergeant Jones 
has provided additional outstanding support through her service in the 
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs.
  I am delighted to commend Technical Sergeant Jones for her more than 
two decades of distinguished service to our Nation. I wish her the best 
as she begins the next chapter of her life.

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