[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 213 (Wednesday, December 16, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1161]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     CELEBRATING LIEUTENANT COLONEL PATRICK BAKER ON HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. MO BROOKS

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 16, 2020

  Mr. BROOKS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
American patriot Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Patrick Josh Baker on the 
occasion of his retirement from the Army. America is more secure thanks 
to LTC Baker's dedicated service, Alabama's 5th District is proud of 
LTC Baker, and I extend my sincere gratitude to him and his family for 
their many sacrifices over his twenty-one year Army career.
  LTC Baker received his Bachelor's Degree in Aviation Management at 
Auburn University in 1999, Following graduation, he completed Initial 
Entry Rotary Winged Training at Fort Rucker, Alabama. LTC Baker was 
later assigned to the 101st Airborne Division as an Attack Platoon 
Leader in 2-101 Attack Reconnaissance Battalion (ARB).
  In 2003, LTC Baker was deployed to support Operation Iraqi Freedom 1 
(OIF) as a Platoon Leader and Liaison Officer. Upon re-deployment from 
OIF 1, he attended the Army Aviation Captain's Career Course and 
Maintenance Managers program. Later, in OIF 06-08, LTC Baker served as 
the Company Commander in the C/1-227th and D/1-227th ARB.
  After ``The Surge'' in Baghdad, LTC Baker transferred to the Army 
Acquisition Corps, where he served as an Executive Officer in the 
Executive Office for Aviation. In 2013, LTC Baker received his MBA in 
Systems Acquisition Management from the Naval Post Graduate School in 
Monterey, California.
  From 2013 to 2016, LTC Baker served as the Army Aviation Program's 
Legislative Liaison for the House and Senate Armed Services Committees. 
Afterward, he trained with Industry Fellows assigned to General 
Dynamics Land Systems in Michigan. Finally, LTC Baker settled in 
Huntsville, AL where he has served as the Product Lead for Joint Attack 
Munition Systems (JAMS) since 2017.
  Throughout his career, LTC Baker has been the recipient of many 
awards and decorations. A sampling of these are: The Bronze Star Medal, 
the Air Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation 
Medal, and the Combat Action. Airborne, Air Assault and Senior Army 
Aviation badges.
  Madam Speaker, LTC Patrick Josh Baker has unceasingly provided the 
highest standards of commitment to duty. His service to our great 
country is a true gift to the American people.
  I wish LTC Patrick Josh Baker and his family the very best as he ends 
his twenty-one years of service in the U.S. Army.

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