MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2010 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Blount, Michel, Browning, Butler, Clarke, Dearing, Frazier, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Kirby, McDaniel, Mettetal, Montgomery, Watson
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING MAJOR GENERAL J. ERIK HEARON, COMMANDER OF THE MISSISSIPPI AIR NATIONAL GUARD, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AFTER 40 YEARS OF OUTSTANDING MILITARY SERVICE.
WHEREAS, Major General James Erik Hearon, Commander of the Mississippi Air National Guard and Assistant Adjutant General, has announced his retirement following 40 years of outstanding and dedicated service; and
WHEREAS, in conjunction with General Hearon's retirement, there will be a Change of Command Ceremony on February 7, 2010, at which General Hearon will relinquish command of the Mississippi Air National Guard to Brigadier General Alex "Don" Roberts, followed by a Retirement Ceremony in his honor; and
WHEREAS, General Hearon is responsible to the Adjutant General for directing Air National Guard operations and establishing policy to ensure mission readiness of an air refueling wing, airlift wing, combat readiness training center, air support operations squadron, air control squadron and civil engineering squadron. He serves on the Air National Guard's Strategic Planning System, principally in the area of strategic communications. General Hearon also serves as the Air National Guard Assistant to the Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs; and
WHEREAS, General Hearon entered the Mississippi Air National Guard in January 1970. Upon completion of pilot training, he served as pilot in the C-130E and C-130H and instructor pilot in the C-141B and C-141C at the 172nd Airlift Wing, Jackson, Mississippi, where he commanded a flying squadron and group; and
WHEREAS, General Hearon served from November 2002 until July 2003 at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, as Director of the Regional Air Movement Control Center - Afghanistan and Iraq. He was appointed Commander, 186th Air Refueling Wing, Meridian, Mississippi, in September 2003 and Chief of Staff, Joint Force Headquarters - Mississippi Air National Guard in December 2005. General Hearon served on the Air Mobility Command Air Reserve Component Policy and Advisory Council and the Air Mobility Command KC-135 Requirements and Planning Council; and
WHEREAS, his major awards and decorations: Legion of Merit; Airman's Medal; Bronze Star Medal; Meritorious Service Medal (with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters); Air Medal (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster); Aerial Achievement Medal; Air Force Commendation Medal; Meritorious Unit Award; Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (with 2 Silver Oak Leaf Clusters and 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster); Air Force Organizational Excellence Award; Combat Readiness Medal (with 2 Silver Oak Leaf Clusters and 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster); National Defense Service Medal (with 2 Bronze Service Stars); Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; Southwest Asia Service Medal (with 3 Bronze Service Stars); Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Armed Forces Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Service Star); Humanitarian Service Medal (with 3 Bronze Service Stars); Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Service Star); Air Force Overseas Ribbon-Short (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster); Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon (with Gold Border); Air Force Longevity Service Award (with 1 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters); Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with Gold Hourglass, "M" Device and Numeral 4); Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon; Air Force Training Ribbon; Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation; Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia); Kuwait Liberation Medal (Emirate of Kuwait); Mississippi Magnolia Cross; Mississippi Magnolia Medal; Mississippi War Medal (with 2 Bronze Service Stars); Mississippi Emergency Service Medal (with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters); Mississippi Service School Medal (with 3 Silver Oak Leaf Clusters); Mississippi Longevity Medal (with 1 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters); 2003 Valley Force Cross for Heroism awarded by the National Guard Association of the United States; and
WHEREAS, General Hearon's professional memberships and affiliations: National Guard Association of the United States; National Guard Association of Mississippi; Life Associate Member, Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States; Life Associate Member of the Mississippi Non-Commissioned Officers Association; American Institute of Certified Public Accountants; Mississippi Society of Certified Public Accountants; Airlift/Tanker Association; and Air Force Association; and 1992-Present, Volunteer Reserve Deputy Sheriff for Hinds County, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize and salute this Mississippi commander whose service has brought honor to the military, to his community and to the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Major General J. Erik Hearon, Commander of the Mississippi Air National Guard and Assistant Adjutant General, upon his retirement after 40 years of dedicated and outstanding service to his country and state, and extend to him and his family our best wishes on this auspicious occasion of his Change of Command and Retirement Ceremony on February 7, 2010.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to General Hearon, forwarded to Adjutant General William Freeman, Jr., and the Governor, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.