[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 3]
[Senate]
[Page 2882]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         COLONEL ROBERT S. HART

  Mr. LOTT. Madam President, I would like to bring to your attention 
today the exemplary work and most commendable public service of one of 
our country's outstanding military leaders, Colonel Robert S. Hart, 
Commander, 403d Operations Group. Unfortunately, Colonel Hart's service 
to his country ended on February 16, 2002 when he unexpectedly passed 
away.
  Colonel Hart entered the Air Force in 1973 through the Air Force 
Reserve Officer's Training Corps program. His early assignments 
included Williams Air Force Base, AZ, and Charleston Air Force Base, 
SC, where he finished his active duty career in October 1979. He 
entered the Air Force as a pilot and continued to fly throughout his 
career. He joined the Air Force Reserve in July 1980. In 1981 he was 
the Chief of Standardization for the 300th Military Airlift Squadron, 
Charleston Air Force Base, SC. From 1992 to 1998 he was the Aircraft 
Operations Officer for the 701st Airlift Squadron at Charleston Air 
Force Base. For the first half of 1998 he was the Airlift Operations 
Officer for the 707th Airlift Squadron also at Charleston Air Force 
Base; the remainder of 1998 to December 1999, he was the Commander of 
the 707th Airlift Squadron. He joined the 403d Wing in December 1999, 
where he was the commander of the 403d Operations Group. As the 
commander of the 403d Operations Group, he was responsible for the 
training and mission execution of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance 
Squadron, the 815th Airlift Squadron, and the 41st Aerial Port Squadron 
at Keesler Air Force Base, MS; and, the 96th Aerial Port Squadron at 
Little Rock Air Force Base, AR.
  Colonel Hart was born in Abilene, TX. His father and mother, John and 
Mary Hart, reside in Eastland, TX. Colonel Hart earned a Bachelor of 
Art's degree in business and administration management at Texas Tech 
University. He is a graduate of Squadron Officer School, Air Command 
and Staff College, and Air War College. He held the rating of command 
pilot with more than 8,850 flight hours. He has flown the following 
aircraft: T-37B, T-38A, C-141A/B and C-130. His military decorations 
include the Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster; the 
Aerial Achievement Medal; the Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak 
leaf cluster; the Joint Meritorious Unit Award; the Air Force 
Outstanding Unit Award with five devices; the Combat Readiness Medal 
with eight devices; the National Defense Service Medal with one device; 
the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with one device; the Southwest 
Asia Service Medal with three devices; the Armed Forces Service Medal; 
the Humanitarian Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters; the Air 
Force Longevity Service Award with five devices; the Armed Forces 
Reserve Medal with two devices; the Air Force Training Ribbon; the 
Kuwait Liberation (Saudi Government) Medal; and, the Kuwait Liberation 
(Kuwait) Medal for his service in Operation DESERT SHIELD/STORM.
  Colonel Hart served his nation for 29 years distinguishing himself 
while upholding the core values of the U.S. Air Force--Integrity First, 
Service Before Self, and Excellence In All We Do. He was a true Citizen 
Soldier, always ready to answer his nation's call. On behalf of a 
grateful nation, I ask you to join me, my colleagues in the senate and 
Colonel Hart's many friends and family in saluting this distinguished 
officer's many years of selfless service to the United States of 
America. I know our Nation, his wife Karen, and his family are 
extremely proud of his accomplishments. It is fitting that the U.S. 
Senate honor him today.

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