[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Page 22844]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO COLONEL BRAD APPLEGATE

 Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today on behalf of 
Oregonians, the people of the Pacific Northwest, and all Americans to 
pay tribute to COL Brad Applegate, the Wing Commander of the 142nd 
Fighter Wing. In doing so, I also pay tribute to all those who wear our 
Nation's uniform, as Colonel Applegate's professionalism and capability 
is characteristic of all those who serve to protect our Nation.
  Brad Applegate began his association with the Air Force while 
attending Indiana University when he received an Air Force Reserve 
Officer Training Course aviation scholarship. Upon graduating, he 
received his commission in the U.S. Air Force, and shortly thereafter, 
began his training as an F-15 pilot. From that time until now, Brad has 
served in many locations and has been awarded several decorations. As 
an F-15 pilot, he is quick to tell you that homeland security has long 
been his specialty.
  My association with Colonel Applegate is relatively late in his 
career. With the recent round of Base Realignment and Closure, BRAC, 
proposals from the Defense Department, the people of the Pacific 
Northwest woke up to the news that the reassuring roar of the F-15 
Eagles from the 142nd Fighter Wing might not be flying over their heads 
in the years to come. I learned quickly that the Portland Air National 
Guard base was among the first bases to be scrutinized by the BRAC 
Commissioners and analysts.
  With little more than a weekend to prepare, Colonel Applegate 
organized his team, sifted through the scant and murky details of the 
proposal, and prepared such an extensive briefing to the Commissioners 
and analysts that the efforts of the 142nd presentation became a model 
for bases across the country. The media will give, and the politicians 
will take, credit for saving the bases, but I am here today to set the 
record straight in regards to the preservation of the 142nd Fighter 
Wing in Portland. The intelligence, skill, and knowledge of COL Brad 
Applegate and his team is why we will continue to have air defenses in 
the Pacific Northwest. Without his leadership skills, my part of the 
country would be an open target for our enemies.
  Colonel Applegate will soon be retiring from military service after 
more than 20 years of dedicated service to his Nation. The leadership 
torch of the 142nd Fighter Wing will soon be passed to another very 
capable fighter pilot and leader, and the important work of our Air 
National Guard will continue.
  Mr. President, I would like to offer my words of appreciation and 
thanks to COL Applegate and the countless others who wear our Nation's 
uniform. Although our Nation has dangerous enemies who wish to do us 
harm, I sleep better at night knowing that the reassuring roar of the 
F-15 Eagles will continue to fly overhead in the Pacific 
Northwest.

                          ____________________