House Resolution 68

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT KENDRICK L. SHROPSHIRE UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AS THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE 552ND AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE SQUADRON, 552ND AIR CONTROL WING, AND EXPRESSING TO HIM THE GRATITUDE OF THE MISSISSIPPI HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR HIS EXEMPLIFICATION OF LEADERSHIP DURING HIS UNPARALLELED AND DISTINGUISHED CAREER.

WHEREAS, Chief Master Sergeant Kendrick L. Shropshire is retiring after an impressive tenure as the Superintendent of the 552nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 552nd Air Control Wing, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma; and

WHEREAS, as Superintendent of the 552nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Chief Master Sergeant Shropshire was responsible for maintenance production, sortie generation and scheduling efforts of 27 E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft, and was also the chief enlisted manager for 675 maintenance personnel, in support of world-wide command and control requirements; and

WHEREAS, Chief Master Sergeant Shropshire began his storied tenure with the Air Force by enlisting in 1988 as an Airman Basic, and following technical training at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi, he served as a Communications and Navigations Systems Specialist at numerous bases across the country; and

WHEREAS, because of his aptitude and work ethic, Chief Master Sergeant Shropshire earned the responsibility of maintaining avionics systems on several different types of aircraft, including the B-52H, HH-60G, C130P and C-17; and

WHEREAS, Chief Master Sergeant Shropshire has held many other distinguished positions in his tenure, including serving as a quality assurance inspector, section chief, squadron and group level production superintendent, lead production superintendent and AMU superintendent; and

WHEREAS, Chief Master Sergeant Shropshire's skills and abilities were in such demand that he deployed extensively to multiple locations throughout Southwest Asia in support of Operations Southern Watch, Northern Watch, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and Joint Task Force Horn of Africa; and

WHEREAS, throughout his career, Chief Master Sergeant Shropshire attended a variety of schools and earned several degrees and certifications, with his educational endeavors including: Airman Leadership School, Carswell Air Force Base, Texas; Associates of Applied Science Degree, Avionics Systems Technology, CCAF; Air Force NCO Academy, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia; bachelor of science degree in human resources management, Park University; Air Force SNCO Academy, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama; Project Management Certification; Advanced Maintenance and Munitions Officers School, AMMOS/AMSC; and Professional Manager Certification; and

WHEREAS, over the course of his career, Chief Master Sergeant Shropshire held an array of assignments, which ranged from serving as a Communications/Navigation Journeyman at Griffiss Air Force Base, New York, to serving as the Blue AMU Superintendent at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina; and

WHEREAS, Chief Master Sergeant Shropshire has been awarded several major prestigious awards and decorations, including: the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and five clusters, the National Defense Service Medal with bronze star, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border; and

WHEREAS, recognized by many individuals for his hard work and selfless service, Chief Master Sergeant Shropshire has been the recipient of numerous awards for his distinguished service, including: the 2004 Lance P. Sijan Nominee, 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina; the 2005 AMC Maintenance Production Course Academic Excellence Award, Fort Dix, New Jersey; the 2005 SNCO of the Year, 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina; the 2006 Gold AMU Maintenance Professional of the Year, Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina; the 2009 SNCO of the Year, 437th Maintenance Group, Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina; the 2010 Spirit of Hope Award, 437th Air Wing, Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina; the 2011 Mount Moriah MBC Mentor of the Year; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend the outstanding members of our Armed Forces whose loyalty, dedication and service to their country bring honor to their family, their profession and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize Chief Master Sergeant Kendrick L. Shropshire upon the occasion of his retirement as the Superintendent of the 552nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 552nd Air Control Wing, and express to him the gratitude of the Mississippi House of Representatives for his exemplification of leadership during his unparalleled and distinguished Armed Forces career, and extend best wishes for future success in the lighter years of his retirement.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Chief Master Sergeant Kendrick L. Shropshire, 552nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.