[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 116 (Wednesday, July 23, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1212]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING COLONEL BRIAN M. NEWBERRY 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

                        Wednesday, July 23, 2014

  Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
exemplary service of Colonel Brian M. Newberry, Commander, 92nd Air 
Refueling Wing, Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington.
  Col. Newberry entered the Air Force in 1991 as a distinguished 
military graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. Since that time, he 
has flown as an evaluator pilot in the C-17A Globemaster III and has 
flown missions in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM 
and ALLIED FORCE. Additionally, Col. Newberry served as the 817th 
Expeditionary Airlift Squadron commander at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, 
in 2007. Prior to assuming command at Fairchild, Col. Newberry was the 
Commander, 376th Expeditionary Operations Group, Transit Center at 
Manas, Kyrgyz Republic, directing aerial refueling, airlift, onward 
movement of troops to Afghanistan and strengthening the partnership 
with the Kyrgyz Republic.
  Since assuming command, Col. Newberry has made caring for Fairchild's 
Airmen and their families a top priority. With the loss of Shell 77 in 
Kyrgyzstan which claimed the lives of three Airmen from Fairchild, last 
year was arguably one of the more difficult years for the base. 
However, during this difficult time, Col. Newberry's leadership 
provided a pillar of strength for a base and community in mourning.
  Additionally, Col. Newberry has tirelessly worked to strengthen the 
bond between Fairchild and our community here in Eastern Washington. 
This year, Col. Newberry championed for the Abilene Trophy 2013 to be 
awarded to the Spokane community. Presented annually, this award 
recognizes the community in Air Mobility Command that is most 
supportive of its local Air Force base. Ultimately successful, in May, 
Spokane was awarded the Abilene Trophy. Fairchild has been an integral 
part of our community since 1942, when the City of Spokane and local 
residents purchased the land and donated it to the War Department and I 
applaud Col. Newberry for his efforts to strengthen this relationship.
  So, today I urge all of my colleagues to join me in thanking Colonel 
Brian M. Newberry for his service to the United States Air Force and 
the 92nd Air Refueling Wing at Fairchild. I am grateful for his 
unyielding dedication to our country and for all of his accomplishments 
as Commander of the 92nd Air Refueling Wing.

                          ____________________