[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 102 (Wednesday, June 21, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S8833]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        SALUTE TO GEN. MIKE LOH

 Mr. KEMPTHORNE. Mr. President, next week, General Mike Loh, 
Commander of Air Combat Command, will retire after 39 years of 
distinguished service in the U.S. Air Force. I want to take this 
opportunity to thank General Loh for his unselfish service to the 
national security interests of the United States.
  General Loh's career began in the second class to graduate from the 
U.S. Air Force Academy. After graduating with honors, Mike Loh went on 
to serve as a decorated fighter pilot, flying over 200 missions, in 
Vietnam. General Loh's awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, 
the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, the Distinguished Flying 
Cross, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Air Force Medal with seven 
oak leaf clusters.
  Mike Loh's career reached its zenith when he was selected to serve as 
the Commander of Air Combat Command. As Commander of ACC, Mike Loh was 
responsible for most of this Nation's air power and over 250,000 men 
and women. As General Loh retires, the strength, professionalism and 
reputation of Air Combat Command has never been higher. For that, a 
grateful, more secure nation says thank you.
  My colleagues and I in the Senate know General Loh best as a 
ferocious advocate for a strong Air Force. In repeated testimony before 
the Senate Armed Services Committee, General Loh earned a reputation as 
a straight shooter who would tell it like it is. General Loh never hid 
his views or his feelings and you never left a meeting with Mike Loh 
wondering where he stood on an issue. At my request, General Loh made 
repeated visits to my office to discuss bomber and tactical aviation 
issues. I came away from each of those meeting more informed about the 
issues, more understanding of the value of air power and more impressed 
with General Loh's abilities. The Air Force will lose a patriot, an 
innovator and an articulate spokesman when General Loh retires.
  I want to thank General Loh for 39 years of loyal service to the Air 
Force and his nation. I want to thank General Loh for his steadfast 
support for a strong Air Force and a service that looks out for the men 
and women who volunteer to wear the uniform of the United States of 
America. Most importantly, I want to thank General Loh for his 
commitment to serve and defend the national security interests of the 
United States.


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