[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 128 (Tuesday, September 23, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9775-S9776]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
MILITARY AIR CRASHES
Mr. DASCHLE. Madam President, on Friday afternoon of last week, I was
shocked and saddened to learn that a B-1B bomber had crashed near
Alzada, MT, during a routine training mission over the Powder River
military operations area. The bomber was assigned to Ellsworth Air
Force Base in South Dakota, and all four crew members aboard the
aircraft were killed.
I wish to extend my deepest sympathies to the families of those
courageous individuals. They died in the service of their country, and
I know my colleagues join me in honoring their memory and their
sacrifice.
The B-1 accident was the sixth military air crash in 7 days. Although
there is no apparent connection between the accidents, Secretary of
Defense William Cohen rightly asked the Air Force and the other
branches of the Armed Forces to implement a 24-hour safety stand down
to allow those who fly and maintain U.S. military aircraft to focus on
safety.
Despite the rash of accidents that occurred in recent days, the past
year has been a relatively safe year for the Department of Defense.
Fifty-five military aviation accidents occurred this year compared to
67 last year, 69 in 1995, and 86 in 1994. Although this appears to be a
good trend, the Pentagon must strive to improve its safety record even
further, and they are doing that.
I commend Secretary Cohen for implementing a safety stand down and am
confident it will yield positive results.
[[Page S9776]]
If it helps to prevent just one crash or the loss of just one life, the
safety review will be well worth the effort.
As Secretary Cohen recently said, ``The lives of our aircrews and
passengers are very precious, and each loss is a great tragedy.''
As the Air Combat Command, the Air Force and other branches of the
Armed Forces study safety this week, I hope all of us will take a
moment to reflect on those committed and dedicated individuals who lost
their lives in military crashes in recent days. I would like to take a
moment to review the exceptional lives of those four service members
from Ellsworth Air Force Base who died in the tragic accident last
week.
Col. Anthony Beat was born in Willard, OH, in 1951. He graduated from
Ohio State University in 1973 and earned his commission through the Air
Force Reserve Officer Training Corps the same year.
During his long tenure in the Air Force, Tony served in a number of
capacities. He was a B-52 copilot, aircraft commander and instructor
pilot. He was also assigned to the Bases and Units Division in the
Strategic Air Command headquarters. Most recently, he served as the
vice commander of the 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth Air Force Base.
My staff and I had worked closely with Colonel Beat on a number of
issues during his tenure as vice commander. His expertise and many
accomplishments had a profound impact on Ellsworth Air Force Base.
Colonel Beat was a member of the Ellsworth Black Hills Chapel and
enjoyed jogging, hunting, and fishing. He is survived by his wife,
Dolores Ann, and their son, James Allen.
Maj. Clay Culver grew up in Memphis, TN, and graduated from the
Memphis State University in 1981. Since earning his commission in 1983,
Major Culver was an Advanced Electronic Warfare Systems instructor in
the 453d Flying Training Squadron, an assistant operations officer, and
defensive systems officer instructor.
Most recently, he served as an assistant operations officer and
weapons systems officer in the 37th Bomb Squadron at Ellsworth Air
Force Base.
Major Culver is survived by his wife, Cynthia; a daughter, Ann; and
son, Parker. Mrs. Culver said recently her husband ``was doing the
right thing, and it was a very honorable way to go.''
Maj. Kirk Cakerice was born in 1954 in Eldora, IA. He graduated from
the University of Northern Iowa in 1977 and married Myra Van Sickle the
same year.
Kirk earned his commission in 1982 and served in a number of
assignments including B-1B Aircraft Commander, instructor of B-1B
Aircraft Commanders, and cadet squadron commander at the U.S. Air Force
Academy in Colorado Springs. Most recently, he served as an assistant
operations officer in the 37th Bomb Squadron at Ellsworth Air Force
Base.
A longtime friend of Major Cakerice said Kirk was the ``prototypical
Iowa boy.'' He ``grew up in smalltown Iowa, tremendous sense of humor,
very talented at sports, could learn something quickly and do it.''
Major Cakerice was a member of the Canyon Lake United Methodist
Church in Rapid City, SD. He is survived by his wife, Myra; son, Brett;
and daughter, Kendra.
Capt. Gary Everett, who was engaged to be married, was the youngest
of the four who died in the B-1B crash on Friday. He was born in
Brooklyn, NY, in 1962 and grew up near Louisville, KY.
His parents, three brothers, and one sister still live in Kentucky.
Gary graduated from the University of Louisville with a degree in
physics in 1986 and earned his commission through the Officers Training
School 2 years later. He served as B-1B Defensive Systems Officer in
the 34th Bomb Squadron and as a weapons systems officer in the 37th
Bomb Squadron at Ellsworth Air Force Base.
Gary had many interests outside the Air Force, including an online
service called RapidNet that he founded with two partners in Rapid
City. Gary's sister-in-law, Karen Everett, said ``Gary was a hero to
all his younger cousins. He was a wonderful role model for all his
achievements, in starting his own business, and for his emphasis on how
important education is.''
Captain Everett is survived by his parents, Joseph and Dorothy
Everett, of Glasgow, KY; three brothers, James, Joe, and William; one
sister, Carol Ann Johnson; and his fiancee, Karen Tallent of Rapid
City, SD.
Mr. President, we suffered a tragic loss on Friday. Col. Tony Beat,
Maj. Clay Culver, Maj. Kirk Cakerice, and Capt. Gary Everett served
nobly, and they will be deeply missed. Their commitment and dedication
to their families, the Air Force, and our country will not be
forgotten.
Like many in South Dakota and throughout the country, my thoughts and
prayers are with the families of those who lost their loved ones in
this terrible tragedy. And we think of them now.
I yield the floor.
Several Senators addressed the Chair.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New Mexico.
Mr. DOMENICI. Senator Leahy, how long will you go?
Mr. LEAHY. Madam President, I am sorry, I did not see the Senator
from New Mexico. Under our normal practice in these kind of times we
tend to go back and forth, so obviously the Senator from New Mexico
would proceed.
Mr. DOMENICI. I have a few remarks regarding the IRS and the National
Federation of Independent Businesses.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New Mexico is recognized.
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