Bill Text: SC H4177 | 2015-2016 | 121st General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Lieutenant Colonel Lee Mears
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 77-46)
Status: (Passed) 2015-05-13 - Introduced and adopted [H4177 Detail]
Download: South_Carolina-2015-H4177-Introduced.html
A HOUSE RESOLUTION
TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR LIEUTENANT COLONEL LEE MEARS, SOUTH CAROLINA AIR NATIONAL GUARD, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AFTER MORE THAN TWO DECADES OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE IN THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES, AND TO WISH HIM CONTINUED SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
Whereas, it is altogether fitting that the South Carolina House of Representatives should pause in deliberations to express gratitude to Lieutenant Colonel Lee Mears for his significant contributions to the United States Navy and South Carolina Air National Guard; and
Whereas, reared in Columbia, Lee Mears graduated from Hammond School in 1986 and earned a bachelor's degree in military history from Wofford College in 1990. He was commissioned later that year after completing the requirements for Aviation Officer Candidate School; and
Whereas, from 1994 to 2001, he served in the United States Navy as an East Coast F-14 pilot, assigned to Naval Air Station Oceana. During that time he served as the Maintenance Officer aboard the USS America, as Landing Signal Officer aboard the USS George Washington, as a RAG (Replacement Air Group) Instructor, and as a F-14 Forward Air Controller; and
Whereas, then Commander Mears separated from the United States Navy, transferred his commission to the South Carolina Air National Guard, and completed the F-16 conversion course; and
Whereas, in 2002, as a scheduling officer at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, he planned the first 169 Fighter Wing deployment to Naval Air Station Key West, a multi-aircraft exercise that engages dissimilar air combat training with on-fighter data link and joint operations with the Navy; and
Whereas, he flew some of the first Operation IRAQI FREEDOM missions and in 2004, served as the Operations-Maintenance Liaison for three major Air Combat Command inspections; and
Whereas, in 2009, Lieutenant Colonel Mears served as the Team Chief for the 169 Fighter Wing's participation in the Falcon Air Meet, an international F-16 competition; and
Whereas, in 2010, he was Chief of Operations Group Standardization and Evaluation for the 169 Fighter Wing and deployed to Iraq as the 157th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron's Director of Operations; and
Whereas, he deployed to Afghanistan in 2012 for the largest Reserve Component fighter deployment since Operation Desert Storm and was chosen as the 169 Fighter Wing Inspection Chief for the first ever implementation of the new Air Force Inspection System; and
Whereas, since 2013, Lieutenant Colonel Mears has served as the 157th Fighter Squadron Director of Operations; and
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives appreciate the years of unparalleled dedication that Lee Mears has devoted to serving his country and wish him many years of enjoyment in his well-earned retirement. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor Lieutenant Colonel Lee Mears, South Carolina Air National Guard, upon the occasion of his retirement after more than two decades of outstanding service in the United State Armed Forces, and wish him continued success and happiness in all his future endeavors.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Lieutenant Colonel Lee Mears.
