Honoring Colonel Robert N. Agee For His 32 Years of Service to the Missouri Air National Guard

HONORING COLONEL ROBERT N. AGEE FOR HIS 32 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE MISSOURI AIR NATIONAL GUARD-HON. SAM GRAVES (Extensions of Remarks - September 21, 2004)

Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Colonel Robert N. Agee, Vice Commander for 139th Airlift Wing at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base in St. Joseph, Missouri. Colonel Agee is retiring on October 1, 2004 after 32 years of service to the Missouri Air National Guard. Colonel Agee currently resides in St. Joseph with his wife Sheila, and together they have two daughters, Rachael and Jennifer, and a son R.J.

Colonel Agee was born on December 25, 1949 in St. Joseph. He joined the Missouri Air National Guard in 1970, and graduated from the first Air National Guard Officer Preparatory Academy in May of 1971. Following his graduation, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. Colonel Agee attended pilot training at Williams AFB in Arizona, and earned his pilot wings on September 9, 1972. In 1976, Colonel Agee graduated from Missouri Western with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration Management. Additionally, he has completed Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College, and the Air War College.

Colonel Agee has performed duties in training, safety, tactics, standardization/evaluation and was the director of operations for the flying squadron prior to his current assignment. He was activated in December 1990 for Operation Desert Shield/Storm and served as the director of operations for the 180th Airlift Squadron in theater until their release from active duty in June 1991. In addition to training aircraft, he has flown the C-97G, KC-97L, C-130A, and the C-130H.

Among his military decorations are the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Force Outstanding United Award with the three oak leaf clusters and "V" device, Air Force Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, and Kuwait Liberation Medals from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

As the former Operations Group Commander he had responsibility for our units, the 180th Airlift Squadron, the 139th Operations Support Flight, the 139th Aerial Port Flight, and the 241st Air Traffic Control Squadron in addition to the Standardization/Evaluation section. These squadrons are the support and execution component of the C-130 airlift mission. The unit continuously supports real-world airlift commitments in the United States and overseas in addition to local air training.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending the career of Colonel Robert N. Agree, who has exemplified the qualities of dedication and service throughout his tenure with the Missouri Air National Guard.