[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 34 (Monday, February 27, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E239-E240]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN RECOGNITION OF COLONEL JAMES J. KEEFE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. RICHARD E. NEAL

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 27, 2017

  Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
congratulate Colonel James J. Keefe on his promotion to the rank of 
Brigadier General and his assignment as Assistant Adjutant General for 
Air at the Massachusetts Air National Guard at the Joint Force 
Headquarters at Hansom Air Force Base. He has dedicated his life to the 
defense of our country and I would like to take the time to express my 
gratitude to him.
  Jim Keefe has been a constituent of mine throughout my tenure in 
Congress as a resident of Northampton and Southampton, Massachusetts. 
He graduated from Norwich University in Vermont and was commissioned 
into the United States Air Force in 1987. During his time in the active 
Air Force, Colonel Keefe proved to be an effective F-16 Fighting Falcon 
pilot and instructor at bases in Florida, Georgia, and Washington, DC. 
In May of 1999, Colonel Keefe returned home and joined the 
Massachusetts Air National Guard at Barnes Air National Guard Base in 
Westfield, Massachusetts. In the course of his service, Colonel Keefe 
has flown in over 3400 flying hours, as well as 330 hours of combat in 
missions Operation Southern Watch, Operation Northern Watch, Operation 
Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Noble Eagle. In addition to his pilot 
duties, Colonel Keefe has served as Flight Commander, Squadron 
Commander, and Vice Commander at the 104th Fighter Wing. Since 2013, he 
has faithfully served as Wing Commander of the 104th, where he is 
charged with directing over a thousand military and civilian personnel 
in support of the wing's mission to defend against any air threat to 
the homeland.
  Throughout his career, Colonel Keefe has been recognized many times 
for outstanding service to this nation. These awards include the 
Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force 
Combat Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Global War on Terrorism 
Service Medal, Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon, and the Military 
Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal to just name a few. Needless to 
say, Colonel Keefe has been an asset to the Air Force and the Air 
National Guard for decades.
  Mr. Speaker, as Colonel Keefe moves onto the next step in his career 
and continues to serve the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and his 
country, I want to thank him for his service. Barnes Air National Guard 
Base has been the example all Air National Guard bases look to in terms 
of excellence. That is partly in part to the exemplary leadership that 
Colonel Keefe has brought to Barnes. I wish him all the best in his 
future endeavors.

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