[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 103 (Thursday, June 25, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E980]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING COLONEL JAMES C. HODGES

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. THOMAS MacARTHUR

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 25, 2015

  Mr. MacARTHUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Colonel James C. 
Hodges of the United States Air Force for his extraordinary dedication 
to duty and service to our nation as the Commander at Joint Base 
McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey. Colonel Hodges is leaving his 
position at the Joint Base and transitioning to a new role.
   Today, the Joint Base stands as a model, state-of-the-art facility 
with Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine and Coast Guard operations, 
including airlift and air refueling, soldier training and deployment 
and aircraft carrier research and development. The Joint Base's 
officers provide an invaluable service to the military. In particular, 
the 87th Air Base Wing provides installation management support for 
3,933 facilities with an approximate value of $9.3 billion in physical 
infrastructure.
   Colonel Hodges has been serving as the 87th Air Base Wing Commander 
and Installation Commander, where he has provided installation support 
to more than 80 mission partners. Colonel Hodges has also been 
responsible for providing mission-ready expeditionary Airmen and 
Sailors to combatant commanders in support of joint and combined 
operations. As the Commander of the Nation's only Tri-Service Base, 
Colonel Hodges has had a very difficult job, which he has performed 
masterfully.
   A career civil engineer, Colonel Hodges obtained his degree from the 
U.S. Air Force Academy in 1991. Upon receiving such degree, Colonel 
Hodges has served a variety of staff positions at the base, major 
command, joint, multinational and Pentagon levels. He has also 
commanded at the squadron and group level. His contingency experience 
includes service as a commander of an expeditionary civil engineer 
squadron in Operation Iraqi Freedom and as a joint-multinational staff 
officer in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
   Along with his lengthy service, Colonel Hodges has devoted countless 
hours of his time to furthering his education. He holds a Master of 
Science in engineering and policy from Washington University, a Master 
of Arts in organizational management from George Washington University 
and a Master of Strategic Studies from the Air War College.
   Colonel Hodges' great work has not gone unnoticed. His military 
awards include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Defense 
Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with silver 
oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Joint 
Achievement Medal and the Air Force Achievement Medal.
   Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize the selfless service of 
Colonel James C. Hodges as he transitions into a new role and continues 
to serve the United States of America. I wish him the best as he 
proceeds into the next chapter of his career.

                          ____________________