[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 22 (Tuesday, February 10, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E181-E182]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        TRIBUTE TO SENIOR MASTER SERGEANT RONALD CARL HOUGHTALEN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOHN KATKO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 10, 2015

  Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career of Senior 
Master Sergeant Ronald Carl Houghtalen. A native of Binghamton, New 
York and currently a resident of Clay, New York, who subsequently has 
more than 34 years of military service with the United States Air Force 
and New York Air National Guard. Sergeant Houghtalen has been decorated 
with numerous medals, awards, and service distinctions and will retire 
from military service on 1 December 2014. It is my honor to recognize 
such a distinguished citizen and airman.
   Sergeant Houghtalen began his military career in the United States 
Air Force, in September of 1981. On completion of basic training at 
Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, in October 1981, Sergeant Houghtalen 
began technical school training as an Electronic Warfare Systems 
Specialist at Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi, Mississippi. In September 
1982, he was assigned to the 416th Bombardment Wing, Strategic Air 
Command as an Electronic Warfare Systems Specialist, at Griffiss Air 
Force Base, New York. He began on-the-job training for his five-skill 
level on the B-52G ``Buff'' aircraft and remained in that position 
until November 1984.
   In November 1984, Sergeant Houghtalen was reassigned to the 81st 
Tactical Fighter Wing, Tactical Air Command, Flight-line Branch, Royal 
Air Force Bentwaters-Woodbridge, England, in support of United States 
Air Forces in Europe operations. While assigned with the 81st Component 
Repair Squadron, he performed duties as Electronic Warfare Systems 
Technician and Phase Dock Supervisor on the A-10A ``Warthog'' aircraft, 
which provided Offensive-Defensive Electronic Counter-measures and 
Close Air Support of ground forces and battlefield air interdiction in 
support of NATO ground forces.
   After completion of his tour in November 1986, Sergeant Houghtalen 
was reassigned to the 379th Bombardment Wing, Strategic Air Command, 
Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Michigan. He 
was assigned as an Electronic Warfare Systems Technician Supervisor 
performing integrated jamming systems maintenance and supervision of B-
52H advanced Electronic Warfare systems troubleshooting and repair. He 
was also selected to assist with the research and development of a new 
automated Electronic Warfare system and automatic and Semi-Automatic 
Support Equipment that would enhance Electronic Warfare maintenance and 
aircraft protection systems for the B-52H aircraft. Upon completion of 
his second active duty tour in March of 1990, Sergeant Houghtalen 
transferred to the 174th Tactical Fighter Wing, Aircraft Maintenance 
Branch, Avionics Maintenance Squadron, New York Air National Guard, 
Hancock Field in Syracuse, New York, and was assigned as an Electronic 
Warfare Technician and Integrated Avionics Maintenance Technician on 
the F-16A/B ``Falcon'' aircraft.
   On 17 August 2006, as the Logistics Readiness Flight Superintendent, 
Sergeant Houghtalen volunteered for an Air Expeditionary Force 
deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism and was tasked to 
assemble, organize and deploy the first Redeployment Action Team to Ali 
Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait. Assigned to the 386th Expeditionary Mission 
Support Group, he coordinated the arrival and off-load of cargo from 
three Air National Guard Wings transported by Sealift Command to Ali Al 
Salem AB and the on-load of cargo to C-130 aircraft for intra-theater 
airlift, in support of combat operations throughout Iraq and 
Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi 
Freedom. On 19 February 2007, Sergeant Houghtalen returned to active 
duty to redeploy with his Team to Ali Al Salem AB for his ninth 
overseas tour where he successfully redeployed all cargo used down 
range, in support of combat operations, and returned it to the 
respective Air National Guard Wings throughout the United States.
   Sergeant Houghtalen was employed as a 174th Fighter Wing Air 
National Guard Technician from May 1990 to January 2010. He held 
positions in the 174th Maintenance Squadron as an Integrated Avionics 
Maintenance Technician, 174th Maintenance Group as the Maintenance 
Operations Center Superintendent, 174th Fighter Wing as the Wing Plans 
Superintendent and the 174th Logistics Readiness Squadron as the 
Logistics Readiness Flight Superintendent for F-16 and MQ-9 aircraft. 
On 2 January 2010 he transferred from his full-time technician position 
to the Department of Defense, Defense Contract Management Agency and 
remained a member of the 174th Fighter Wing as a Traditional Guardsman. 
In March 2011, Sergeant Houghtalen transferred assignment to Joint 
Forces Headquarters (JFHQ), Latham, New York.
   His last military assignment was with Joint Forces Headquarters-New 
York as the Domestic Operations Services Superintendent, Joint Task 
Force-5/FEMA Region II. While assigned, he performed duties with the 
Joint Exercise Control Group to plan, conduct, educate and train Joint 
Task Force-5 and supporting state, county and local emergency agency 
managers. He functioned as part of the Services Command and Control 
Headquarters Staff that responds to Homeland Defense and Civil Support 
within and outside the Continental United States contingency 
operations. Between 13 and 20 May 2012, Sergeant Houghtalen led New 
York Air National Guard Services members to provide lodging and feeding 
support for over 400 support personnel during a Homeland Response Force 
Exercise conducted in Oriskany, New York. He was ordered to State 
Active Duty between 29 October and 14 November by the Governor, in 
response to Hurricane Sandy at Joint Forces Headquarters, New York, and 
assigned to Joint Operations Center J1 Staff responsible for Manpower 
status and reporting in support of relief operations.
   In January 2013, Sergeant Houghtalen deployed to Washington DC where 
he provided mission support for the 57th Presidential Inauguration as a 
key member of the Joint Task Force-J4, playing a pivotal role in the 
logistics operation, providing critical transportation and sustainment 
contingency planning for the movement of over 6000 personnel and 
several tons of cargo. From 22 April to 3 May 2014, Sergeant Houghtalen 
provided direct support

[[Page E182]]

during the Headquarters Reserve Forces Exercise conducted in Oriskany, 
NY. Where he planned, organized, and executed operations, providing 
leadership and logistical coordination for twelve Services Support 
personnel from five New York Air National Guard Wings, successfully 
demonstrating contingency support capabilities in a Domestic Operations 
environment utilizing the Disaster Response Mobile Kitchen Trailer and 
their ability to respond to a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and 
Nuclear event for Federal Emergency Management Agency Region II HRF, 
Joint Task-5, Joint Forces Headquarters, New York. He completed his 
military career and retired on 1 December 2014 after more than 34 years 
combined service, with nearly 10 years of Federal Active Duty and the 
remainder with the New York Air National Guard.
   Sergeant Houghtalen holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Management, 
Cum Laude, Columbia College, Associate of Arts Degree in Management, 
Columbia College, Associate Degree in Business Administration and 
Logistics Management, Community College of the Air Force, Associates 
Degree in Applied Science, Avionics Systems Technology, Community 
College of the Air Force. He is a graduate of the United States Air 
Force Senior Air Force Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Air Force 
Noncommissioned Officer Academy, and the Air Force Noncommissioned 
Officer Leadership School where he received the Commandant's Award.
   Sergeant Houghtalen's military decorations include the Meritorious 
Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster; the Air Force Commendation 
Medal, with one oak leaf cluster; the Air Force Achievement Medal; and 
the Army Achievement Medal. His military unit and achievement awards 
include the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, one oak leaf cluster; the Air 
Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat ``V'' device and six oak leaf 
clusters; the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, with two oak leaf clusters; 
and the Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal, with seven oak 
leaf clusters. His military campaign and service awards include the 
National Defense Service Medal, with one bronze service star; the Armed 
Forces Expeditionary Service Medal; the Southwest Asia Service Medal, 
with three bronze campaign stars; the Global War on Terrorism 
Expeditionary Medal; the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; the Air 
Force Overseas Long Service-Long Tour Ribbon, the Air Force Longevity 
Service Ribbon, with seven oak leaf clusters; the Armed Forces Reserve 
Medal with silver hourglass device, mobilization ``M'' device, and 
numeral ``9''; the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Military 
Education Ribbon with three oak leaf clusters; the Small Arms Expert 
Marksmanship Ribbon with one service star device; and the Air Force 
Training Ribbon. Sergeant Houghtalen's Foreign Service awards include 
the Kuwait Liberation Medal from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with Palm 
device and the Kuwait Liberation Medal from the Government of Kuwait.
   Sergeant Houghtalen also holds the following New York State awards 
and decorations: the New York State Long and Faithful Service Award, 
with one gold shield device; the New York State Desert Storm Service 
Medal; New York State Operation Iraqi Freedom Ribbon; New York State 
Operation Enduring Freedom Ribbon; the New York State Defense of 
Liberty Medal; New York State Conspicuous Service Cross; the Medal for 
Humane Service to New York State. He also holds service awards from 
other states that include the Mississippi Emergency Service Medal for 
Operation Vigilant Guard Relief, Hurricane Katrina; the District of 
Columbia National Guard Community Service Ribbon in support of the 57th 
Presidential Inauguration.
   His effective dates of promotion are: Airman--17 October 1981; 
Airman First Class--30 August 1982; Senior Airman--1 September 1984; 
Sergeant--1 September 1985; Staff Sergeant--1 January 1987; Technical 
Sergeant--1 June 1995; Master Sergeant--1 January 2000; Senior Master 
Sergeant--27 February 2002.
   He is also the recipient of the following recognition awards: the 
Onondaga Community College Veteran of the Month 1994; the Red Flag 
Superior Performer in 1999; the Presidential Support Secret Service 
Augmentee award in 1999; the American Red Cross Veterans Award in 2000; 
the Air Combat Command Inspector General Superior Performance Award in 
2000 and 2003; the Phase II Operational Readiness Inspection Superior 
Performer in 2000; 174th Fighter Wing Base Honor Guard Team Superior 
Performer Award in 2003, Air Combat Command Inspector General 
Deployment Support Organization Superior Performance Award in 2003; and 
the 174th Fighter Wing Phase 1 Operational Readiness Exercise Superior 
Performer award in 2004.
   Sergeant Houghtalen is a past member of the Air National Guard 
Noncommissioned Officer Academy Graduate Association, the Association 
of the Old Crows, and the Air Force Association; he is still an active 
member of the 174th Attack Wing Base Honor Guard.
   Senior Master Sergeant Ronald Houghtalen resides in the Town of Clay 
with his wife Sharon Houghtalen. He has one daughter and one son, Staff 
Sergeant Briana Houghtalen, 174 Attack Wing and Senior Airman Ryan 
Houghtalen, 152 Air Operations Group. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. 
Richard and Thelma Houghtalen of Binghamton, New York (Deceased).

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