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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E705]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING COMMAND CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT MELANIE K. NOEL
______
HON. LARRY BUCSHON
of indiana
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, June 4, 2019
Mr. BUCSHON. Madam Speaker, today I wish to recognize and
congratulate a tremendous Airman and native of Vincennes, Indiana,
Command Chief Master Sergeant Melanie K. Noel, on the occasion of her
retirement from the U.S. Air Force after 27 years of distinguished
military service to this great Nation.
Chief Master Sergeant Noel's outstanding career has culminated with
her final assignment as the Command Chief Master Sergeant for the Air
Force District of Washington. Chief Noel represents the highest
enlisted executive level of leadership in the Air Force District of
Washington and advises the commanding general on all issues regarding
the readiness, training, welfare, morale, proper utilization, and
progress of more than 40,000 Air Force military and civilian members in
more than 500 locations across 108 countries. Prior to assuming her
current position, Chief Noel faithfully served as the 6th Air Mobility
Wing's Command Chief Master Sergeant and was also the Senior Enlisted
Advisor for the U.S. Air Force's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response
Office.
Chief Master Sergeant Noel entered the U.S. Air Force on April 9,
1992 as a security forces specialist and was later chosen for
retraining into the field of personnel administration. Her honorable
service has spanned numerous overseas and stateside assignments
including two European countries, three States, the District of
Columbia, and a deployment in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. In
2006, Chief Noel was competitively selected to become a First Sergeant,
spending several years caring for the service's newest Airmen at the
``Gateway to the Air Force.'' Recognizing her leadership potential, the
Air Force continued to challenge her with increased responsibilities as
an instructor at the U.S. Air Force First Sergeants Academy. Excelling
in this demanding position, Chief Noel taught fellow senior
noncommissioned officers the intricacies of equitable discipline,
professional development, and esprit de corps. Her superb performance
at the First Sergeants Academy garnered the attention of Chief Master
Sergeant of the Air Force James Roy, who selected Chief Noel to become
the service's first-ever Enlisted Legislative Fellow in the Nation's
Capital.
As a true testament to Chief Master Sergeant Noel's exceptional
career, she served as not only the U.S. Air Force's first Enlisted
Legislative Fellow but also its sole enlisted representative on Capitol
Hill in 2013. During this period, Chief Noel was assigned to the office
of Representative Niki Tsongas from Massachusetts. With the
Congresswoman's position as Ranking Member on the House Armed Services
Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, Chief Noel played a key role
as her lead staffer during the headline-making Benghazi hearings.
Moreover, she worked diligently to increase congressional awareness of
impacts to both the Department of Defense and national security
community caused by the 2013 federal government shutdown. Finally, her
tireless efforts were critical to the bipartisan passage and
implementation of the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act.
Chief Master Sergeant Noel clearly epitomizes the finest qualities of
a military leader. Throughout her tenure, she has been instrumental in
advocating for Airmen across the globe while strengthening the total
force team through innovative solutions, focused resiliency, and
exceptional leadership development. Her unrivaled expertise and
exemplary professionalism have further resulted in numerous accolades,
including the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with four oak
leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters,
Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster, as well as
annual award recognition at the squadron, group, and wing levels within
the U.S. Air Force. Additionally, Chief Noel was the recipient of the
Distinguished Honor Graduate Award at the Joint Special Operations
Forces Senior Enlisted Academy.
Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress and a grateful
Nation, I extend our deepest appreciation to Chief Master Sergeant
Melanie K. Noel for her many years of extraordinary dedication and
selfless military service. There is no question that the U.S. Air
Force, Department of Defense, and United States have significantly
benefited from Chief Noel's visionary leadership and devotion to the
cause of freedom. I wish nothing but the very best for her and her
family in the future.
____________________