[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 86 (Thursday, June 30, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 30, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                TRIBUTE TO BRIG. GEN. RUDOLF F. PEKSENS

                                 ______


                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 29, 1994

  Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
outstanding American, Brig. Gen. Rudolf F. Peksens, who served an 
exceptional 2 years at K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base. After the closing of 
the K.I. Sawyer Base in 1995, the General will be transferred to the 
South Com Air Force Base in South America. I want to express my 
gratitude on behalf of the residents of northern Michigan for all his 
service and extend our best wishes for the future.
  General Peksens entered the Air Force in 1966 as a graduate of the 
Tufts University Reserve Officer Training Corps program. He is the only 
Air Force officer to have flown fighter, bomber, and reconnaissance 
aircraft in combat. General Peksens served as a B-52 copilot on the 
first 410th Bombardment Wing aircrew selected to conduct Arc Light 
bombing missions over southeast Asia in 1968. He also flew combat 
missions in 1970 over Southeast Asia in the RF-4C Phantom. During 
operations Desert Storm and Provide Comfort, he served as vice 
commander and then commander of the 7440th Combat Wing and flew combat 
missions over Iraq in the F-4C Phantom II Advanced Wild Weasel.
  Beginning in June 1986, General Peksens started a 5-year series of 
three command positions in Germany. He first served as commander of the 
joint U.S. Air Forces in Europe/U.S. Army in Europe Warrior Preparation 
Center, the largest computer war gaming facility in the world. From 
July 1988 to July 1989, he commanded the 26th Reconnaissance Wing, 
Zweibrucken Air Base, during which time the wing won the annual 
worldwide reconnaissance competition. From July 1989 to July 1991, he 
commanded the 52d Fighter Wing ``Wild Weasels'' at Spangdahlem Air 
Base. During that period, the 52d Fighter Wing deployed early and 
contributed significantly and measurably to successful combat 
operations in the gulf war.
  The general is an experienced commander and combat aviator. He is 
rated a command pilot with more than 3,600 hours, including more than 
600 combat hours in B-52, RF-4, and F4-G aircraft. He is the recipient 
of the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf 
cluster, Bronze Star Medal, and Air Medal with nine oak leaf clusters. 
The general so far has received seven promotions, and I know that he 
will be promoted again in the future.
  General Peksens military achievements are well established. As 
significant to me, though, are General Peksens unique personal 
qualities that have endeared him to his troops and the Marquette 
community. ``General Rudy,'' as some refer to him, possesses a special 
approachability and knack for candor. These qualities have allowed him 
to be both a highly competent representative of the Air Force and 
trusted ally of the community as Sawyer transitions to civilian use. 
Anyone familiarly with the history of base closures in our country 
understands the necessity of trust between the military and the 
affected community for successful conversion efforts. We have avoided 
at Sawyer the adversarial relationships that have often plagued other 
communities in their conversion attempts. Our early successes are a 
tribute to General Peksens leadership.
  Mr. Speaker, it is indeed an honor to rise today to extend my 
gratitude to Brig. Gen. Rudolf F. Peksens. The major awards and 
decorations he has received symbolize the strength of his character and 
serve as an inspiration to all his peers. I urge all my colleagues to 
join me in saluting Brig. Gen. Rudolf F. Peksens.

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