[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 106 (Friday, July 29, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1741-E1742]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             A TRIBUTE TO GENERAL GREGORY ``SPEEDY'' MARTIN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL R. TURNER

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 29, 2005

  Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I come to the House floor today to pay 
tribute to United States Air Force General Gregory S. ``Speedy'' Martin 
for his 35 years of distinguished and honorable service in the United 
States Air Force and to our Nation.
  General Martin has had a distinguished career, beginning with his 
graduation from the Air Force Academy in 1970 with a commission as a 
second lieutenant. While at the academy, he became the National 
Collegiate Parachuting Champion; but jumping out of planes only begins 
to define his courage. He became a fighter pilot and flew 161 combat 
missions in Vietnam. He served as the mission commander for Operation 
Linebacker I and Operation Linebacker II during the Vietnam conflict 
and secured the release of American POWs.
  Prior to serving as Commander of AFMC, General Martin served as 
Commander of United States Air Forces in Europe and Commander of Allied 
Forces Northern Europe, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. During Operation 
Enduring Freedom he directed airdrop support for American forces 
assisting Afghanistan refugees. During Operation Iraqi Freedom he 
provided deployment support, combat airdrop operations, and all air 
delivered sustainment support. In Europe, General Martin was awarded 
the Order of the Sword, the highest tribute the Air Force enlisted 
corps can pay to a commander.
  As Commander of AFMC, General Martin led the development of a new Air 
Force Science and Technology vision which will guide critical research 
and development work to ensure the U.S. Air Force remains superior on 
the battlefields of tomorrow. He strengthened, unified, and streamlined 
the Air Force Program Executive Office to ensure more effective 
acquisition support for current and future Air Force weapon systems. 
General Martin created the Continuous Process Improvement initiatives 
in the air logistic centers which allowed AFMC to return $570 million 
in savings last year to the Department of Defense to support the Global 
War on Terror. General Martin has often referred to his assignment at 
AFMC as ``The most satisfying assignment in my career.''
  He received numerous military awards for his service including: the 
Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Distinguished Service Medal, 
the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with two oak 
leaf clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with 11 
oak leaf clusters, and the NATO Meritorious Service Medal. Allied 
nations also recognized General Martin for his service by bestowing on 
him the following awards: the Medal of Commander of Order and Valor, 
Cameroon; the Medal of Merit--Gold, The Netherlands; the Legion of 
Honor, France; and the Cross of Merit, First Class, of the Minister of 
Defense, Czech Republic. General Martin is also a command pilot with 
over 4,600 flight hours in various aircraft, including the F-4, F-15, 
C-20 and C-21 and is a master parachutist.

[[Page E1742]]

  I have known General Martin since he took command of AFMC in August 
2003. I have received briefings from him and can assure you he is an 
authoritative and powerful speaker. General Martin is a man who is 
honest, provides a straight assessment and has the highest degree of 
ethics. His service honors the Air Force and our country. In providing 
an assessment of the need to transform the Air Force acquisition 
process, in classic style, he declared, in a delivery that would shame 
Jack Nicholson, the problem is: ``some people can't handle the truth.''

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