[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 77 (Wednesday, May 21, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E802]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 PAYING TRIBUTE TO COLONEL TONY KROGH'S DEDICATED MILITARY SERVICE TO 
                               OUR NATION

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. SPENCER BACHUS

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 21, 2014

  Mr. BACHUS. Mr. Speaker, let me commend the attention of the House to 
Colonel Tony Krogh, United States Army, for his extraordinary 
dedication to duty and selfless service to the United States of 
America. Colonel Krogh is retiring after an exemplary 28 year career in 
service to his country. He has been recognized with numerous awards, 
including the Legion of Merit Award, the Defense Meritorious Service 
Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service and Expeditionary Medal, and 
the Humanitarian Service Medal.
  A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Tony earned his commission as an 
Officer in the United States Army from the ROTC program at the 
University of Alabama, where he was recognized as a Distinguished 
Military Graduate. He served first as an engineer and later as a Models 
and Simulations Officer with numerous operational assignments in 
Germany; Fort Drum, NY; Fort McPherson, GA; and Saudi Arabia. His 
combat deployments include Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm and 
Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he served as the chief of current 
operations for Joint Task Force 7. He also excelled as the lead for a 
Partnership for Peace military exercise that involved planning, 
coordination, and execution with 42 countries. Because of his 
demonstrated superior understanding of Corps operations, he was 
selected by the Corps Commander as the interim Deputy G-3 and Deputy 
Chief of Operations.
  In recognition of his superior performance, Tony was specifically 
chosen in 2005 to lead the Army's effort to integrate mission command 
systems. He skillfully led a Combat Identification effort that for the 
first time allowed common operating pictures across all services, 
reducing the risk of accidental deaths for U.S. and Coalition forces. 
Simultaneously, Tony led the effort for the Army's first ``Battle 
Command Strategy,'' published in 2006, which created a service wide 
battle command architecture that is still in use today.
  Immediately after his training at the Industrial College of the Armed 
Forces in 2008, Tony was appointed as the Director of Simulation at the 
Aviation Center of Excellence. He leveraged his extensive technical 
background and operational experience to produce realistic training 
exercises that readied 21 aviation brigades for deployment to Iraq and 
Afghanistan. He provided the leadership and strategic vision for 
Aviation simulators and simulation programs across the U.S. Army, while 
managing a $1.8 billion service contract and the largest collection of 
high fidelity, full motion simulators in the world.
  In 2010, having been recognized as the Army's foremost authority on 
training simulations, Tony became the first Colonel centrally selected 
to be the Director of the National Simulation Center (NSC). In that 
capacity, he provided the U.S. Army with state-of-the-art training 
simulation capabilities from individual soldier to theater level 
command exercises. Simultaneously, he was given the responsibility for 
the Army's efforts with Live, Virtual, and Constructive (LVC) 
Integrated Training. His direct involvement created the most realistic 
and affordable training across camps, posts and stations the Army has 
ever known.
  In July of 2012, Colonel Krogh was selected to serve as the Executive 
Officer for the Deputy Chief of Staff for Programs (G-8) where he 
swiftly established much needed procedures and high standards. After an 
extremely successful first year, he rebuilt the G-8's Initiatives Group 
and as Director, focused efforts on shaping and promoting Army equities 
across numerous communities at the strategic level.
  Throughout his successful career, Colonel Krogh has been anchored by 
the strength of his wife and partner, Kim. Through her generous spirit 
and loving support, she has selflessly stood by Tony's side, taking 
care of their family through countless moves and stressful deployments. 
At every step of the way, Mrs. Krogh has sought community leadership 
and volunteer positions within military and local communities. Her 
endeavors include major fundraising for scholarships, Toys for Tots, 
and renovating youth sports facilities; volunteering for school 
programs, local animal rescues, and animal therapy for hospital 
patients and the elderly; and establishing community websites to link 
family members. In fact, Kim was selected as ``Community Volunteer of 
the Year'' in Heidelberg, Germany. Mrs. Krogh embodies the ideals we 
cherish: strength, loyalty, commitment and selfless service. Her 
sacrifices and accomplishments as well have earned our admiration.
  Mr. Speaker, it has been my honor to recognize Colonel Tony Krogh and 
his nearly three decades of dignified and distinguished service. On 
behalf of a grateful nation, I join my colleagues today in recognizing 
and commending his contributions and the mark he has made on the United 
States Army. We wish Tony, his wife Kim, and their two children, Mary 
Ashley and Erickson, all the best as they embark on their next journey.

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