Congressman Johnson Honors Service of General Moseley

Congressional Record: July 8, 2008 (Extensions)
Page E1403

HONORING GENERAL T. MICHAEL ``BUZZ'' MOSELEY'S CAREER OF PUBLIC SERVICE

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to General T. Michael ``Buzz'' Moseley, 18th Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, an exemplary patriot and extraordinary leader, who, on July 9, 2008, completed 37 years of distinguished service to our Nation.

General Moseley began his accomplished career at Texas A&M and Webb AFB, where he earned his wings in 1973. He proceeded to a series of demanding assignments as flight instructor, test pilot and mission commander. His peerless operational skills were honed by the most prestigious positions, to include command at every level--most notably the Air Force Fighter Weapons School, the 9th Air Force, and the U.S. Central Command Air Forces. General Moseley led airmen in peace, crisis, and war--from Operation Southern Watch, through the harrowing days in the wake of September the 11, 2001, to engaging the Taliban in Operation Enduring Freedom and the destruction of Saddam Hussein's war machine in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The breadth of General Moseley's assignments and the professionalism with which he has carried them out, reflect a keen intellect and unrivaled grasp of national security policies and air power's role in implementing them. Equally impressive, has been General Moseley's staunch, consistent advocacy of inter-Service and international cooperation as the most effective way of assuring allies, dissuading and deterring adversaries, and defeating implacable foes.

A brilliant speaker with a sharp wit and endearing style, General Moseley has frequently testified before the Congress on a wide variety of issues critical to the Air Force's--and the Nation's--readiness to face an uncertain future. However controversial the topic or pointed the questioning, he has always been a most poised, eloquent proponent of balancing current exigencies with future requirements. His focus has remained unwavering: assure that USAF remains America's asymmetric advantage--our Nation's multidimensional, global maneuver force--the force of first and last resort.

As the 18th Chief of Staff and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from September 2005 to August 2008, General Moseley has been a trusted advisor on all aspects of airpower and its key role in promoting and defending America's interests at home and abroad. His 37 years of distinguished service epitomize bold leadership, strategic vision, intellectual flexibility, innovation, honor, integrity, dignity and selfless devotion.

His exceptional grasp of war-fighters' needs, born of his own combatant experience, has enabled the Air Force to provide unprecedented Global Reach, Global Vigilance and Global Power for both traditional and non-traditional missions. Under his leadership, the Air Force spread its wings over America's cities, delivered relief to victims of tsunamis and hurricanes, expanded international ties to reassure allies and deter enemies--all while flying and fighting as an indispensable part of the Joint force in Iraq, Afghanistan and other theaters of the Global War on Terror.

His commitment to his Airmen has been peerless. In a constrained fiscal environment--and with lives in the balance--General Moseley's uncommon courage, expertise and foresight have forged a set of transformational initiatives designed to spark an intellectual renaissance while recapitalizing an aging air fleet, worn down by 18 years of continuous combat. He has sought to provide his Airmen with the quality of life they deserve, while seeing to their training, education and leadership. He has refocused the Service on a single core mission: bolstering warrior ethos and fostering joint and combined synergies.

He has worked tirelessly to reinvigorate the innovation, flexibility, and creative, strategic thinking that have been Airmen's hallmarks since the dawn of aviation. In the context of this conceptual, organizational and technological transformation, General Moseley has redefined the Air Force for the 21st Century, ensuring that America's guardians will continue to fly, fight and win in both today's battles and in tomorrow's crucibles.

While many distinguished awards and decorations adorn his uniform--from his own grateful Nation as well as from such staunch allies as Britain, France, Korea, Brazil, Singapore, and the UAE--what stands out most and what we honor him for today is his unflinching commitment to the cause of freedom and justice. General T. Michael ``Buzz'' Moseley has earned the deepest respect from all whom he has served during his illustrious career--most notably this Congress and a grateful Nation.

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