[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 88 (Tuesday, July 7, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7607-S7608]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO MAJOR GENERAL ROBERT A. McINTOSH

 Mr. CLELAND. Mr. President, today I want to recognize Major 
General Robert A. McIntosh for his distinguished service to our Nation. 
General McIntosh epitomizes our Air Force Reserve citizen-airman. He 
has demonstrated exceptional leadership as chief of Air Force Reserve, 
Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C., and commander, Air Force 
Reserve, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia for the past three and a half 
years.
  General McIntosh served as the principal advisor to the Chief of 
Staff of the Air Force and to the Secretary of the Air Force on all Air 
Force Reserve matters. As commander of the Air Force Reserve Command, 
he had overall responsibility for the command, control, and supervision 
of all U.S. Air Force Reserve units around the world.
  General McIntosh performed outstanding service and exhibited 
exceptional commitment to the Air Force Reserve. His in-depth knowledge 
of Air Force and Reserve Component issues was a tremendous asset to the 
Congress as we deliberated the major national defense issues impacting 
both our Active and Reserve Forces. His insight into Reserve issues was 
also instrumental in his well-deserved selection to this new position 
as the Assistant on Reserve Matters to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs 
of Staff.
  Commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps Program at 
Ohio University in 1966, General McIntosh's early training prepared him 
well for his later assignments commanding Reserve fighter units in 
Louisiana, Missouri and Texas. Ultimately, he rose to command the more 
than 70,000 member Air Force Reserve.
  He is a highly-decorated Vietnam veteran for his extraordinary aerial 
achievement and devotion to duty while assigned as an A-37 pilot with 
the 604th Special Operations Squadron at Bien Hoa Air Base in South 
Vietnam.
  General McIntosh separated from active duty in August 1971 to join 
the air reserve technician program as a full-time civil service 
employee with active participation as an Air Force reservist. He is a 
command pilot with more than 4,000 flying hours in the A-10, A-37, C-
130 and F-4. His military awards include the Distinguished Service 
Medal; Legion of Merit; Distinguished Flying Cross; Meritorious Service 
Medal with oak leaf cluster; Air Medal with 18 oak leaf clusters; Air 
Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster; and Vietnam Service 
Medal with three service stars.
  Throughout his distinguished career, he has commanded an Air Force 
Reserve wing, two Reserve numbered Air Forces, served as the vice 
commander of the Air Force Reserve, and his most recent position as the 
chief of the Air Force Reserve and commander of the Air Force Reserve 
Command--a dual hatted position.
  General McIntosh's outstanding leadership, sense of purpose and 
singular dedication to duty was crucial in the continuing successful 
integration of the Air Force Reserve into the total Air Force, 
culminating in the Congressionally-directed activation of Air Force 
Reserve Command as the service's ninth major command.
  Through initiatives he has sponsored, the Air Force Reserve has 
successfully entered new mission areas during his service as the chief 
of the Air Force Reserve, including the Reserve instructor pilot 
program; Space Command Group; Fighter Reserve Associate Test; Airborne 
Warning and Control System; and Combat Camera.
  In today's environment of shrinking budgets, downsizing and the 
increased role the Reserve Component plays in the national defense of 
our country, General McIntosh has provided us with a clear and concise 
view of the contributions and the versatility of our citizen-airmen. In 
that regard, he has provided us with a full spectrum of Air Force 
Reserve issues which helped in our decision making process.
  The United States is indebted to General McIntosh for his many 
contributions to this Nation. As his hallmark, he left a stronger Air 
Force Reserve. We thank Bob and his wife, Susie, for their selfless 
service to the men and women of the Air Force Reserve, and wish him the 
best in his new challenging position on the Joint Chiefs of Staff and 
their future endeavors.

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