[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 17941-17942]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO MAJOR JAMES ``CHOCKS'' EWALD

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CAROLYN C. KILPATRICK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 14, 2003

  Ms. KILPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the bravery of 
one of Michigan's fine Air Guardsmen. Major James ``Chocks'' Ewald of 
the Michigan Air National Guard 110th Fighter Wing made courageous 
decisions when his aircraft was hit by a surface-to-air missile while 
flying over Baghdad, Iraq on April 8, 2003.
  On April 8, 2003, Major James ``Chocks'' Ewald took off from Al Jaber 
Air Base Kuwait on his second mission of the day. He and his wingman 
learned that they would be among the first Close Air Support aircraft 
to fly over the city of Baghdad. His aircraft was shot at

[[Page 17942]]

numerous times during the next 30 minutes, while he provided vital 
intelligence about Iraqi ambush positions. The flight was low on fuel 
and leaving Baghdad when it was suddenly struck by a surface-to-air 
missile. Major Ewald flew the wounded-bird for about 12 minutes, while 
preparing for an injury-free ejection. Before ejecting, he and his 
wingman managed to complete several battle damage checklists, identify 
critical aircraft system operations, make tentative plans for aircraft 
recovery, and gather important information about threats affecting 
future Close Air Support operations. A friendly U.S. Army forces 
rescued Major Ewald 15 minutes after his parachute landing. Following a 
physical examination, he returned to active duty.
  Major James ``Chocks'' Ewald entered the active duty Air Force on 
January 15, 1989 and served in the active duty until July 1, 1998 when 
he joined the Michigan Air National Guard. During his active-duty 
career, he flew in support of contingency operations over Bosnia, 
Operation Deny Flight, in support of the United Nations Forces in the 
Republic of Korea, and over Iraq in support of Operation Southern 
Watch. In 1998, he separated from active-duty and joined the 110th 
Fighter Wing where he has served as Flight Instructor and Squadron 
Weapons Officer. Since his transfer to the 110th, Major Ewald has 
deployed with the unit to numerous stateside training exercises and 
recently returned from a four-month tour of duty in Kuwait in support 
of Operation Iraqi Freedom where he flew over 30 combat sorties.
  With the heroic example of Major James ``Chocks'' Ewald, I would also 
like to laud all 1,500 members of Michigan Air and Army National Guard 
who are now serving their country in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

                          ____________________