[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 25350-25351]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



COLONEL THOMAS R. FRIERS TO RETIRE FROM THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ON 
                           31 DECEMBER 2000.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DAVE WELDON

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 26, 2000

  Mr. WELDON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, Colonel Friers' twenty-eight 
years of service to our nation culminate with his assignment as 
Commander of the Department of Defense Manned Space Flight Support 
Office. Prior to entering the service, he received a Bachelor of 
Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Clarkson University, New 
York. He later received a Master of Science degree in Management from 
Central Missouri State University.
  During the course of his Air Force Career, Colonel Friers rose to the 
level of command

[[Page 25351]]

pilot accumulating more than 4000 hours of flying time in five fixed 
and rotary-winged aircraft. Colonel Friers served in a multitude of 
locations around the world from Vietnam to the Persian Gulf. He served 
at many levels: DOD Staff, Air Force Headquarters, and Major Command. 
Colonel Friers was awarded command a remarkable five times. He 
commanded a detachment, a squadron, a group, a DOD staff agency, and 
the Air Force's elite Combat Rescue School. He also served as flight 
examiner, aide to commander, director of command protocol, and chief of 
rescue division at the major command level.
  The decorations from his 28 years of service include the Defense 
Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service 
Medal with six oak leaf clusters, the Aerial Achievement Medal, and the 
Joint Service Commendation Medal.
  Colonel Friers commanded troops during our nations' triumph in the 
Persian Gulf. He also commanded during the Khobar Tower bombing, when 
his 1st Rescue Group lost 19 brave airman.
  During good times and bad, Colonel Firers has led with courage and 
distinction. Like our great national symbol, the eagles of a colonel 
are well suited to represent the character of this greater leader.

                          ____________________