[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 72 (Wednesday, May 3, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E948-E949]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


       TRIBUTE TO BRIG. GEN. RUDOLF F. PEKSENS ON HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______


                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 3, 1995
  Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a friend and 
distinguished military officer, Brig. Gen. Rudolph F. Peksens, who is 
retiring this month after nearly three decades of service in the U.S. 
Air Force.
  Simply put, General Peksens epitomizes all that a military officer 
should be: A dedicated and knowledgeable professional known for his 
outstanding work and his devotion to those who served under him and to 
the community at large.
  General Peksens is a native of Boston, MA, who graduated from Tufts 
University in 1966 as a member of the Reserve Officers Training Corps 
program. Following his graduation, General Peksens enlisted in the Air 
Force.
  General Peksens has had a long and distinguished military career. He 
is the only Air Force officer to have flown fighter, bomber, and 
reconnaissance aircraft in combat. He is a command pilot with nearly 
4,000 flying hours, including more than 600 hours in combat over 
Vietnam and Iraq. General Peksens served two combat tours in Vietnam, 
flying B-52's and RF-4C's. During our involvement in Operations Desert 
Storm and Provide Comfort, he served as vice commander
 and later 
[[Page E949]] commander of the 7440th Combat Wing. The General flew 
combat missions over Iraq in the F4G Phanton II Advanced ``Wild 
Weasel.''
  In his years in the Air Force, General Peksens has a long history of 
command. He served as commander of the joint U.S. Air Force/U.S. Army 
in Europe Warrior Preparation Center, the largest computer war gaming 
facility in the world. From July 1988 to July 1989, General Peksens 
commanded the 26th Reconnaissance Wing in Zweibrucken, Germany. Under 
his command, the wing won the annual world-wide reconnaissance 
competition. From July 1989 to July 1991, he commanded the 52nd Fighter 
Wing ``Wild Weasels'' at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. During this 
period, the 52nd Fighter Wing deployed early and contributed 
significant resources to our Nation's combat operations in the Persian 
Gulf war. From September 1992 to July 1994, General Peksens commanded 
the 410th Bomb Wing at K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base in my district in 
Northern Michigan. During that period of time, the wing won the U.S. 
Strategic Command's first Omaha Trophy as the best flying unit in that 
command.
  General Peksens currently serves as the director of Strategy, Policy 
and Plans for the U.S. Southern Command in Panama. In this capacity, he 
is responsible for formulating the long range strategy for achieving 
U.S. military objectives in Latin America.
  General Peksens has been recognized repeatedly for his work and 
valor. His decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished 
Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster, the Bronze Star and the Air Medal 
with nine oak leaf clusters.
  I came to know General Peksens when he served at K.I. Sawyer Air 
Force Base. As the commander of K.I. Sawyer, General Peksens presided 
over the base at the time that it was announced for closure by the Base 
Closure and Realignment Commission. Understandably, this was a painful, 
difficult time for the residents of the Marquette area. Through these 
rough times, General Peksens was always there for the community, to 
give his advise, time and assistance. To this day, people in Marquette 
still speak of his commitment and caring for the area and its 
residents. The General's devotion and hard work earned him the respect 
and genuine affection of virtually every person in the Marquette/Gwinn 
area. He was at all times, a caring and competent professional who 
personally and professionally reflected the highest standards and the 
greatest credit on him and the U.S. Air Force.
  Mr. Speaker, General Peksens is retiring this year after nearly 30 
years of distinguished service to this Nation. Serving in our Nation's 
Armed Forces is not an easy vocation. It is difficult, dangerous work 
where one can be called upon to work in an office one day, and to risk 
your life in combat the next. The tremendous sacrifices of these 
military officers and their families are inspiring. In peace and war, 
General Peksens has given of himself for the benefit of this country. I 
am proud to know him, to call him a friend, to say that this Nation 
owes him a debt of gratitude.
  While we northern Michiganites will miss General Peksens, we want to 
take this opportunity to express our deep gratitude for a job well done 
and wish him and his wife, Ruthi, well in all of their future 
endeavors.


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