[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 4] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 5372-5373] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN DALE O. SNODGRASS ______ HON. IKE SKELTON of missouri in the house of representatives Tuesday, March 23, 1999 Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, today I wish to recognize a truly outstanding naval officer, Captain Dale O. Snodgrass, U.S. Navy. Captain Snodgrass will soon be completing his assignment as the Director of the Navy Liaison Office to the House of Representatives, which will also bring to a close a long and distinguished career in the U.S. Navy. It is a pleasure for me to recognize just a few of his many outstanding achievements. [[Page 5373]] A native of Long Island, New York, Captain Snodgrass graduated from the University of Minnesota and was commissioned an Ensign in August 1972. He was designated a naval Aviator in December 1973. He reported to Fighter Squadron 124 as one of the first two newly winged Aviators selected for F-14 training. After being the first non-fleet experienced Aviator to carrier qualify the F-14, he reported to Fighter Squadron 142 in January 1975. Completing his tour in May 1978, he reported to Fighter Squadron 101, the F-14 Training Squadron, as a Flight Instructor and Landing Signal Officer. Following his Instructor tour, he reported to Carrier Air Wing 8 as the Senior Landing Signal Officer. After a 2 year tour in Air Wing 8, he reported to Fighter Squadron 43 as an Adversary Instructor, serving as Operations Officer. Returning to the Fleet in January 1985, Captain Snodgrass served in Fighter Squadron 143 as Operations and Maintenance Officer. In 1986 Captain Snodgrass was selected as the Navy's ``Fighter Pilot of the Year'' and ``Top Cat of the Year.'' Reporting to Fighter Squadron 101 in January 1988, he served as the Executive Officer until May 1988. Captain Snodrgrass subsequently joined Fighter Squadron 33 as Executive Officer later the same month. He assumed command of Fighter Squadron 33 in September 1989, while embarked in the U.S.S. America (CV 66) in the Red Sea. Upon completion of his sixth deployment, he led his squadron through an accelerated training cycle that culminated with combat operations in support of ``DESERT STORM.'' His Commanding Officer's tour ended with yet another underway Change of Command in the Red Sea in February 1991. Captain Snodgrass then reported to the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) as Navigator. Assuming additional duties as Battle Group Navigator, he planned coordinated and safely executed Battle Group navigation and transit in the Red Sea, Mediterranean, Atlantic, and Caribbean. His Navigation Department and Staff was subsequently selected for the U.S. Atlantic Fleet's Navigation award for 1992. Transferring in March 1993, he reported to the Chief of Naval Operations for Air Warfare as Head, Aviation Manpower, Undergraduate Flight Training and Trainer Aircraft sections. In September 1994, Captain Snodgrass reported as Commander, Fighter Wing, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. Under his command, TOMCAT precision strike and single citing of the entire community as NAS Oceana became a reality. His tour as Commodore ended with a Change of Command in January 1997. In February 1997, Captain Snodgrass relocated to Washington, DC, as Director, Navy Liaison, U.S. House of Representatives. Mr. Speaker, Dale Snodgrass has made many sacrifices during his 26 year naval career. Dale has spent a significant amount of time away from his family to support the vital role our naval forces play in ensuring the security of our great Nation. Captain Snodgrass, a great credit to the U.S. Navy and the country he so proudly served, will retire on 23 March 1999 and move to St. Augustine, Florida. As he now prepares to depart the Navy for new challenges ahead, I call upon my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to wish him every success, as well as fair winds and following seas, always. ____________________