[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 54 (Wednesday, April 15, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E509]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         IN RECOGNITION OF CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT DAVID A. WELLS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. RICHARD E. NEAL

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 15, 2015

  Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to recognize 
Chief Master Sergeant David A. Wells of Springfield, Massachusetts on 
the occasion his retirement from the United States Air Force Reserve. 
For the past 31 years, Chief Wells has proudly served his country with 
distinction and I am privileged to thank him on behalf of a grateful 
nation.
  Chief Wells was raised and still resides in my hometown of 
Springfield. He graduated from the High School of Commerce in 1984 and 
entered the U.S. Army Infantry School at Fort Benning, GA shortly 
thereafter. During his time with the 187th Infantry Brigade out of Fort 
Devens, Massachusetts, he was deployed to various locations abroad 
including Iceland and Canada. By 1987, he had quickly moved through the 
ranks to become a Staff Sergeant.
  In 1994, Chief Wells was transferred to the Air Force Reserve after 
the 187th Infantry Brigade was disbanded. He was first assigned to the 
439th Engineering Squadron at Westover Air Reserve Base, only a few 
miles from his home in Springfield. Throughout his 11 years at 
Westover, he served in many roles as part of the Fire and Emergency 
Services Flight. In 2005, Chief Wells was assigned to the 22nd Air 
Force at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta, Georgia to become the 
Fire Emergency Deputy Fire Chief. In this position, he was charged with 
maintaining combat readiness for all Numbered Air Force Prime Base 
Engineer Emergency Force (BEEF) Fire Emergency units.
  Chief Wells has also been deployed overseas to with U.S. operations 
in the Middle East. In 2002, he was deployed to Kuwait as part of 
Operation Southern Watch and then again in 2008 to Kirkuk, Iraq as part 
of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Chief Wells has been awarded numerous times 
for exemplary service over his career, including the Air Force 
Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, and the Army 
Commendation Medal.
  While he may be retiring from the Air Force, Chief Wells will 
continue to serve his community as a captain in the Springfield Fire 
Department, as he has done for the past 26 years. Mr. Speaker, I want 
to thank Chief Master Sergeant Wells for his dedication to this country 
and I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

                          ____________________