[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 93 (Tuesday, June 4, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E705]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING COMMAND CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT MELANIE K. NOEL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. LARRY BUCSHON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 4, 2019

  Mr. BUCSHON. Madam Speaker, today I wish to recognize and 
congratulate a tremendous Airman and native of Vincennes, Indiana, 
Command Chief Master Sergeant Melanie K. Noel, on the occasion of her 
retirement from the U.S. Air Force after 27 years of distinguished 
military service to this great Nation.
  Chief Master Sergeant Noel's outstanding career has culminated with 
her final assignment as the Command Chief Master Sergeant for the Air 
Force District of Washington. Chief Noel represents the highest 
enlisted executive level of leadership in the Air Force District of 
Washington and advises the commanding general on all issues regarding 
the readiness, training, welfare, morale, proper utilization, and 
progress of more than 40,000 Air Force military and civilian members in 
more than 500 locations across 108 countries. Prior to assuming her 
current position, Chief Noel faithfully served as the 6th Air Mobility 
Wing's Command Chief Master Sergeant and was also the Senior Enlisted 
Advisor for the U.S. Air Force's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response 
Office.
  Chief Master Sergeant Noel entered the U.S. Air Force on April 9, 
1992 as a security forces specialist and was later chosen for 
retraining into the field of personnel administration. Her honorable 
service has spanned numerous overseas and stateside assignments 
including two European countries, three States, the District of 
Columbia, and a deployment in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. In 
2006, Chief Noel was competitively selected to become a First Sergeant, 
spending several years caring for the service's newest Airmen at the 
``Gateway to the Air Force.'' Recognizing her leadership potential, the 
Air Force continued to challenge her with increased responsibilities as 
an instructor at the U.S. Air Force First Sergeants Academy. Excelling 
in this demanding position, Chief Noel taught fellow senior 
noncommissioned officers the intricacies of equitable discipline, 
professional development, and esprit de corps. Her superb performance 
at the First Sergeants Academy garnered the attention of Chief Master 
Sergeant of the Air Force James Roy, who selected Chief Noel to become 
the service's first-ever Enlisted Legislative Fellow in the Nation's 
Capital.
  As a true testament to Chief Master Sergeant Noel's exceptional 
career, she served as not only the U.S. Air Force's first Enlisted 
Legislative Fellow but also its sole enlisted representative on Capitol 
Hill in 2013. During this period, Chief Noel was assigned to the office 
of Representative Niki Tsongas from Massachusetts. With the 
Congresswoman's position as Ranking Member on the House Armed Services 
Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, Chief Noel played a key role 
as her lead staffer during the headline-making Benghazi hearings. 
Moreover, she worked diligently to increase congressional awareness of 
impacts to both the Department of Defense and national security 
community caused by the 2013 federal government shutdown. Finally, her 
tireless efforts were critical to the bipartisan passage and 
implementation of the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act.
  Chief Master Sergeant Noel clearly epitomizes the finest qualities of 
a military leader. Throughout her tenure, she has been instrumental in 
advocating for Airmen across the globe while strengthening the total 
force team through innovative solutions, focused resiliency, and 
exceptional leadership development. Her unrivaled expertise and 
exemplary professionalism have further resulted in numerous accolades, 
including the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with four oak 
leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, 
Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster, as well as 
annual award recognition at the squadron, group, and wing levels within 
the U.S. Air Force. Additionally, Chief Noel was the recipient of the 
Distinguished Honor Graduate Award at the Joint Special Operations 
Forces Senior Enlisted Academy.
  Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress and a grateful 
Nation, I extend our deepest appreciation to Chief Master Sergeant 
Melanie K. Noel for her many years of extraordinary dedication and 
selfless military service. There is no question that the U.S. Air 
Force, Department of Defense, and United States have significantly 
benefited from Chief Noel's visionary leadership and devotion to the 
cause of freedom. I wish nothing but the very best for her and her 
family in the future.

                          ____________________