Senator Ben Nelson Honors Service of Wynne and Moseley

Congressional Record: June 26, 2008 (Senate)
Page S6279

IN HONOR OF MICHAEL WYNNE

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, as co-chair of the Senate Air Force Caucus, I wish to speak about former Air Force Secretary, Michael Wynne.

The Air Force has three core values: integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do. I believe Secretary Wynne has striven to live up to these values throughout his illustrious career. Upon graduating from the U.S. Military Academy in 1966, Wynne served in the Air Force for 7 years, concluding his uniformed career as a captain and assistant professor of astronautics at the U.S. Air Force Academy. He then joined the ranks of General Dynamics, working on revolutionary programs such as the F-16 and M1A2 Main Battle Tank. After 23 years of service with General Dynamics, rising to the rank of senior vice president, Wynne joined the U.S. Department of Defense and served as the Principal Deputy Under Secretary, then Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics. In 2005, he was confirmed as the 21st Secretary of the Air Force--assuming responsibility for organizing, training, equipping, and providing for the welfare of its nearly 370,000 men and women on active duty; 180,000 members of the Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve; 160,000 civilians; and their families.

On his first day in office, Secretary Wynne issued a new mission statement for the Air Force, declaring that the ``mission of the United States Air Force is to deliver sovereign options for the defense of the United States of America and its global interests--to fly and fight in Air, Space and Cyberspace.'' He then declared three priorities for the Air Force: winning today's fight; taking care of the Air Force family; and preparing for tomorrow's challenges. In terms of today's fight, Wynne oversaw the deployment of more than 25,000 airmen to the Middle East. He worked to ensure that over 3,000 Rover kits were deployed to the theater so that ground forces could receive full motion video directly from unmanned aerial systems flying orbits around the clock. He also realized the critical importance of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. Wynne doubled the number of Predator orbits in Iraq and Afghanistan in less than a year, while simultaneously exceeding the Department of Defense requirements for Predator orbits, by 2 years and four orbits.

Secretary Wynne can also take great pride in the support he provided for those who sacrifice so much on the front lines. He was instrumental in facilitating the aero-medical evacuation program, which led to a vastly improved survival rate for wounded troops who were able to reach aid stations over previous wars. Additionally, Wynne also supported an initiative to create a seamless transfer of medical records from theater to stateside and then to the Veterans Administration. Lastly, he understood the need to look after the entire Air Force family--active duty, Guard, Reserve, and civilian--through instilling a culture of empowerment, accountability, and continuous improvement.

In terms of America's future, Secretary Wynne worked hard to fulfill his tremendous responsibility to ensure that the U.S. Air Force would be well postured to address future potential threats. I would like to thank Secretary Michael Wynne for his service to our country and wish him the best in all his future endeavors.

Congressional Record: June 26, 2008 (Senate)
Page S6279-S6280

IN HONOR OF GENERAL T. MICHAEL MOSELEY

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, as co-chair of the Senate Air Force Caucus, I have been afforded a unique opportunity to get to know GEN T. Michael Moseley, former Air Force Chief of Staff. I believe he is best defined by three distinct traits: a commitment to excellence, compassion for those with whom he serves, and a deep appreciation for history.

Whether reviewing his time in the cockpit, eventually commanding the prestigious F-15 division of the Air Force's Fighter Weapons School; his service as a professor at the illustrious National War College; his command of distinguished units, such as the 33rd Operations Group and 57th Wing; his pivotal role in executing the air wars over Afghanistan and Iraq as head of the 9th Air Force; or his service as Air Force Chief of Staff, it is obvious that General Moseley has applied himself with incredible dedication and commitment. He truly understands the capabilities afforded through air, space, and cyberspace and has worked tirelessly to ensure that the Air Force excels in these critical domains.

In addition, General Moseley is deeply aware that it takes a team to launch a jet in the air and that every pilot needs a wingman; and he has, therefore, consistently sought to support the Air Force family. Most recently, these efforts have manifested themselves through ensuring predictable deployment schedules for Air Force personnel and their families, strengthening family wellness programs, upgrading family housing, increasing educational opportunities, and reaching out directly to Airmen through a variety of mediums to help promote an exchange of ideas.

It is also important to recognize that throughout his nearly four decades of service, General Moseley has displayed a deep appreciation for history and lessons learned from past events. This historical insight and perspective is critical as the U.S. Air Force looks to succeed in today's missions while simultaneously cultivating a force which will excel in the future. General Moseley worked to ensure that this informed approach will continue to flourish in the Service through the creation of the Analysis, Assessment, and Lessons-Learned Directorate on the Air Staff.

These achievements represent just a fraction of General Moseley's accomplishments; but one thing is clear--he has shown a tremendous commitment to his country. I would like to thank GEN T. Michael ``Buzz'' Moseley for his dedication to duty over these past 36 years, and I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

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