[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 16] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 22871] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF COL LINDA EBLING ______ HON. KATHY CASTOR of florida in the house of representatives Friday, September 26, 2008 Ms. CASTOR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor COL Linda Ebling for her 22-year career in the United States Air Force as a Medical Service Corps officer. Her direct support of medical planning efforts for the United States Air Force Medical Service has greatly enhanced medical capabilities needed for success in the war. Colonel Ebling was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She obtained a Bachelors of Arts from Thiel College in Chemistry in 1975, and a Bachelors of Health Science from Hahnemann Medical College and Hospital in 1977. She earned a Masters of Public Health at the University of Pittsburgh in 1985 and continued on as a distinguished graduate from military and health programs such as Health Services Administration, Squadron Officer School, Contingency Wartime Planning, and Joint Medical Planning. She also attended programs such as the Air Command and Staff College, Air War College, and Interagency Institute for Healthcare Executives at George Washington University. Throughout her career, Colonel Ebling enhanced medical services in the U.S. military by working in numerous positions of medical services, support, management, operations, and planning. She is currently the Director of Medical Readiness for the Office of the Surgeon General, Headquarters United States Air Force at Bolling Air Force Base and the Pentagon, Washington, DC. Prior to serving with the Air Staff, she worked as Commander of the 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, from 2004 through 2006. During this assignment, she also served as Commander to 332nd Expeditionary Medical Support Squadron and Administrator to the 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group, deploying to the Air Force Theater Hospital at Balad Air Base, Iraq. Prior to entering the Air Force, Colonel Ebling engaged in clinical practice as a Certified Physician Assistant from 1977-1986, working in Family Medicine Clinics in rural Pennsylvania, Industrial Medicine at the United States Steel Corporation, and Internal Medicine Services at the University of Pittsburgh. She also volunteered for medical mission work in rural areas of Haiti during 1984 and 1985. In 1986, Colonel Ebling received a direct commission to the Air Force as a Medical Service Corps Officer. She has served at Air Staff, MAJCOM, MacDill Air Force Base, and in various chief administrative and operational assignments, including AFSOC, AFMOA, 16th Operations Group, and joint special operations. To recognize Colonel Ebling's extensive experience and powerful influence on medical support to the United States Air Force, she has received numerous awards. She is the recipient of the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal (6 OLC), the Air Force Achievement Medal (2 OLC), and the Air Force Commendation Medal. She is also the recipient of the Joint Service Achievement Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (OLC), Humanitarian Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Air & Space Campaign Medal, and Iraqi Campaign Medal. She is also a member of Delta Omega, Omicron Chapter, a national society of academic excellence and leadership in public health, and was inducted into Thiel College's Athletic Hall of Fame. Due to her profound commitment and hard work, the United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) recognized her as the Medical Readiness Officer of the Year in 1988. She also earned the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) Commitment to Service Award in 1999, and the Air Combat Command (ACC) Commitment to Service Award in 2001. Madam Speaker, COL Linda Ebling is a woman of the highest regard who has dedicated her life to the medical support and operations our brave men and women need out on the battlefield and when they return home. I am sure that I join many others in applauding her significant contribution to the Air Force Medical Services throughout her 22-year career. ____________________