[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 24, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E200]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF LT. COLONEL PETE GANDY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 24, 2004

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
achievements of one of my constituents, who will soon be joining the 
ranks of the retired commissioned officers of the United States Air 
Force, Lt. Colonel Pete Gandy.
  Colonel Gandy, a master navigator with 3,600 flying hours and a 
graduate of the Squadron Officers School and Air Command and Staff 
College, has served his country honorably and faithfully for the past 
thirty years.
  Upon graduation through the ROTC program at Memphis State University, 
he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force. Colonel Gandy 
later received training as a navigator at Mather Air Force Base in 
California.
  Throughout Colonel Gandy's career, he was assigned a multitude of 
important missions for the betterment of our country's security. His 
work history and past responsibilities have served as a testament of 
faith and trust that America has bestowed upon him.
  While on active duty, he was assigned Chief of the Munitions 
Maintenance Division, 1st Strategic Air Division at Vandenburg AFB, 
California, where he was responsible for test launches for Minuteman 
III and Titan II ICBM re-entry vehicles. Colonel Gandy also served at 
Strategic Air Command Headquarters at Offutt AFB, Nebraska where he was 
involved with planning and installation of Minuteman III missiles at 
SAC bases in North Dakota.
  After his training as a radar navigator, Colonel Gandy was assigned 
to a B-52 combat crew of the 5th Bomb Wing, Minot AFB, North Dakota. He 
served as an instructor and flight examiner with the Wing's 
Standardization and Evaluation Division during his ARC Light tour to U 
Tapao Air Base, Thailand and Anderson, AFB, Guam. Upon Colonel Gandy's 
return to the United States, he received orders to the Plans, Policy, 
and Programs Division at Headquarters SAC where he worked to increase 
our Nation's security.
  While on inactive duty in the Tennessee Air National Guard as a C-130 
navigator, he participated in numerous exercises and deployments to 
Europe, Central and South America, and Southwest Asia in support of 
Operations Just Cause and Desert Shield.
  In July 1993 Colonel Gandy received a commission in the Louisiana 
State Guard, promoted to the rank of Colonel, and served as the 
Disaster Preparedness Liaison for the City of New Orleans. This 
assignment made him a key player with the state and the city to improve 
hurricane preparedness.
  During his career he was awarded the Defense Service Medal, Air Force 
Commendation Medal, and the Air Medal for Meritorious Achievement, 
among others.
  Much of his success was due to the total and unwavering support of 
his wife, Janice and two children David and Tricia.
  On behalf of the United States Congress, I would like to recognize 
this brave airman for the example he has set for our country, and for 
Northwest Florida. I offer my sincere thanks for all that he has done 
for Northwest Florida and the United States of America.

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