Recognizing Lieutenant Colonel Thomas J. Jenkins Upon His Retirement

Floor Speech

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Mr. PERRY. Madam Speaker, I'm honored to recognize Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Thomas J. Jenkins upon the auspicious occasion of his retirement upon more than twenty years of tireless service to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the United States of America.

Lt Col Jenkins distinguished himself in the performance of outstanding service while assigned to the 193d Special Operations Squadron. During this period, he served as the pilot section supervisor and flight commander, managing over sixty (60) aviators' combat readiness, and recruited twenty-nine (29) rated officers, enhancing the group's longevity. Additionally, he excelled through aircraft commander, instructor, and evaluator pilot upgrades in minimum time, and actively trained and evaluated special operations pilots--ensuring the safety and effectiveness of flying operations.

Throughout his career, Colonel Jenkins compiled over four thousand total flight hours in the MC-130W, AC-130W, C-130E/H, and EC-130J airframes. He flew eight hundred (800) hours as an instructor pilot, and totaled over seven hundred (700) career combat sorties, fifteen hundred (1500) combat hours, and forty-four (44) combat support sorties. He deployed and served as an aircraft commander, director of operations, and an expeditionary squadron commander on the EC-130J Commando Solo in support of operations Inherent Resolve and Freedom's Sentinel.

Colonel Jenkins' professionalism, expertise, and dynamic leadership contributed immeasurably to the overall mission effectiveness of the 193d Special Operations Group. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Lieutenant Colonel Thomas J. Jenkins culminate a distinguished career in the service of our Country and reflect great credit upon himself, the Air National Guard, and the United States Air Force. I wish him Godspeed as he embarks on his next adventure.

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