[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).
____________________