Senator Conrad Honors the Service of General Moseley

Congressional Record: July 11, 2008 (Senate)
Page S6600

RETIREMENT OF GENERAL MICHAEL MOSELEY

Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I would like to take a moment to say a few words about the retirement of GEN T. Michael Moseley.

This morning at Bolling Air Force Base, the Air Force said farewell to its 18th Chief of Staff. Buzz Moseley faced a staggering array of challenges during his tenure: Recapitalizing and modernizing the oldest inventory of aircraft in the history of the Air Force, training and developing young airmen in a tumultuous time, and sustaining ongoing operations in two theatres of war as well as a worldwide fight against al-Qaida. Buzz tackled those significant challenges head-on, and made substantial progress in addressing each of them. The crucial role played by the Air Force in the current fight is often and unfortunately overlooked.

Over the past 12 months, the Air Force has identified some serious lapses in attention to the nuclear mission. There were significant problems, and General Moseley took immediate action to strengthen compliance and discipline, heighten attention to detail and execution, expand inspection and evaluation, and broadly refocus the service on the nuclear mission. He and Secretary Michael Wynne have not received the credit they deserved for their efforts. But even if General Moseley will not be the one to oversee the conclusion of these efforts, there is no doubt that the Air Force will be building on the solid foundations laid by Buzz as it continues to aim for the zero-defect standard the American people are entitled to expect when it comes to nuclear weapons.

The U.S. Air Force has always held its airmen and leaders to the highest standards, and in my view, Buzz Moseley consistently exceeded them throughout more than 36 years of service. He was an outstanding leader for the Air Force, and he should be proud of what he accomplished there. Our country owes him a deep debt of gratitude. It has been an honor to work with him over the years. But more than that, it has been an honor to call him my friend. This great American goes into his retirement with my deepest appreciation. Our fellow citizens should know he is a great patriot who protected our freedoms at great personal sacrifice and with real distinction. GEN Buzz Moseley is among our very best.

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