[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 118 (Tuesday, July 11, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E648]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING LIEUTENANT COLONEL MARK BROWNELL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ELISE M. STEFANIK

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 11, 2023

  Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished 
service and remarkable career of Air National Guard veteran Lieutenant 
Colonel Mark Brownell.
  LtCol Mark Brownell began his career as a flight nurse with the 139th 
Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron of the New York Air National Guard. 
During his impressive 23-year career in the service, he provided 
critical care and medical support to countless individuals in need 
across the United States and numerous combat zones.
  LtCol Brownell's first deployment was in 1990, when the 139th AES was 
deployed during Operation Desert Shield in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In 
1991, LtCol Brownell was assigned to Logbase Charlie on the Iraq-Kuwait 
border as a Medical Airlift Staging Facility (MASF) Nurse, overseeing 
care and patient movement of over 350 American and international 
coalition soldiers, along with civilians.
  During Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, Mark was recognized for 
Outstanding Achievement as Flight Nurse, working in the MASF of the 
379th Air Expeditionary Wing. He would assist in the evacuation of over 
9,000 casualties from the United States and partner forces from the 
Multinational Force--Iraq. He also participated in Operation Enduring 
Freedom in 2007 and served as the Chief Nurse at the Aeromedical 
Evacuation Operations Center, relocating more than 2,500 injured and 
wounded soldiers.
  In between tours in Iraq, LtCol Brownell was deployed across the 
United States to assist in rescue and recovery operations during 
Hurricane Katrina of 2004 and Hurricane Ike of 2007. He provided 
critical nursing care during aeromedical evacuation flights out of New 
Orleans and served as the Assistant Officer in Command of the MASF 
assisting in recovery efforts during Hurricane Ike, resulting in the 
successful movement of over 300 patients.
  Outside of military service, Mark was a volunteer at the Tribes Hill 
Fire Department. During his 45 years of service to the department, he 
spent more than a decade as its Chief. On behalf of New York's 21st 
District, I would like to recognize Lieutenant Colonel Mark Brownell's 
utmost dedication to public service and serving our country.

                          ____________________