A senate RESOLUTION

TO CONGRATULATE Lieutenant Colonel Katrina Felder UPON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT, TO COMMEND HER FOR HER twenty-one YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE in the united states air force, AND TO WISH HER MUCH HAPPINESS AND FULFILLMENT IN THE YEARS AHEAD.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are pleased to recognize Lieutenant Colonel Katrina Felder upon the occasion of her retirement from the United States Air Force in March of 2021; and

Whereas, a native of Sumter, Lieutenant Colonel Felder was born to the late Marvin Felder and Barbara Felder. Her father was an area director for the foreign service and her mother continues to serve in her community as a certified medical administrative assistant, layperson, missionary society member, and democratic party representative; and

Whereas, Lieutenant Colonel Felder has an MA in Counseling and Leadership Development from the USAFA Air Officer Commanding Masters Program from the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs, Colorado; a MS in Administration with a concentration in Information Resource Management from Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, Michigan; and a BS in Administrative Information Management from the University of South Carolina; and

Whereas, Lieutenant Colonel Felder was commissioned through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) at the University of South Carolina in 1999; and

Whereas, throughout her United States Air Force career, Lieutenant Colonel Felder has served in various positions as a Presidential Communications Officer, two-time squadron commander, flight commander, Chief of Maintenance, division chief, two-time branch chief, executive officer and Chief of Wing Protocol. Her career comprises a mix of assignments in Air Force Space Command, Air Combat Command, Air Mobility Command, Pacific Air Force Command, the White House Communication Agency, and the Pentagon. Additionally, Colonel Felder deployed in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE in 2016; and

Whereas, over the years, Lieutenant Colonel Felder has received a number of honors and awards, including the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Achievement Medal, the Presidential Support Badge, the Air Force Air Staff Badge, the Commander's Badge, the Air Force Master Cyberspace Operator Badge, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, the AF Overseas Ribbon Short, and the Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon; and

Whereas, Lieutenant Colonel Felder has also been honored with the Air Force Association SAF/CN Hero Award, the Air Force Association SAF/CIO A6 Hero Award, as an Officer Representative for the United States Air Force Academy Women's Basketball Team, as a Lance P. Sijan Field Grade Officer Nominee, as Field Grade Officer of the Quarter, as Communications and Information Field Grade Officer of the Year, as Ranges and Airfield Operations Division Action Officer of the Quarter, as Ranges and Airfield Operations Division CGO of the Quarter, and many other honors and recognitions; and

Whereas, Lieutenant Colonel Felder is a lifetime member of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association and the Former Vice President for AFCEA Canaveral Chapter; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate appreciate the passion and dedication that Lieutenant Colonel Felder has shown in serving this nation and the people and the State of South Carolina.  Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, congratulate Lieutenant Colonel Katrina Felder upon the occasion of her retirement, commend her for her twenty-one years of dedicated service in the United States Air Force, and wish her much happiness and fulfillment in the years ahead.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Lieutenant Colonel Katrina Felder.

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