[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 109 (Monday, July 20, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1843]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         IN RECOGNITION OF THE SERVICE OF COLONEL GARY L. PLUMB

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 20, 2009

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Madam Speaker, it is with great honor that I 
rise today in recognition of the service of Colonel Gary L. Plumb, 
Commander of the 46th Test Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. 
Colonel Plumb retires today after 27 years of humble service to this 
great Nation in the United States Air Force, and I am proud to 
recognize his vast contributions to national security.
  Colonel Plumb grew up in Loveland, Colorado. After graduating from 
Thompson Valley High School, he joined the Air Force and accepted an 
appointment at the United States Air Force Academy. He graduated from 
the Academy with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering 
and received a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States 
Air Force on 2 June, 1982.
  After earning his wings and graduating number one in his Pilot 
Instructor Training Class, Colonel Plumb began his flying career as an 
instructor pilot at Reese AFB, Texas. Upon graduating Lead-in Fighter 
Training, Colonel Plumb flew the F-16 while assigned to the 496th 
Fighter Squadron at Hahn Air Base, Germany. A graduate of the United 
States Air Force Test Pilot School, he then flew experimental test 
missions in the F-16 and F-4 while assigned to the 39th Flight Test 
Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. From there, he attended Air 
Command and Staff College and then received an assignment to the F-16 
System Program Office in Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio where he 
was Chief of F-16 Combat Capability Development.
  Identified as a proven leader, Air Force leadership selected him to 
command one of the most important squadrons in the Air Force, the 411th 
Flight Test Squadron. After taking command of the 411th Flight Test 
Squadron at Edwards AFB, he led developmental flight test for the Air 
Force's newest fighter, the F/A-22. The Colonel was then selected to 
attend the prestigious Industrial College of the Armed Forces in 
Washington, DC. Following this assignment Colonel Plumb was selected 
for a joint assignment where he was assigned to the Joint Warfighting 
Center, Joint Forces Command, Suffolk, Virginia. The Colonel has 
commanded at the flight, squadron and group level. He is a Command 
Pilot who has accumulated over 3,400 flight hours in over 30 different 
aircraft.
  Colonel Gary L. Plumb is currently the Commander, 46th Test Wing, Air 
Armament Center, Air Force Materiel Command, Eglin Air Force Base, 
Florida. With over 4,200 military, civilian, and contractor personnel, 
the Test Wing's primary mission is developmental testing and evaluation 
of conventional munitions, command and control systems, egress systems, 
and navigation and guidance systems. The Test Wing manages 26 modified 
test aircraft; 185,500 square miles of land and water test ranges, plus 
facilities in six different states. His leadership as the Commander of 
the 46th Test Wing will ensure the Eglin range complex, a national 
resource, remains productive and vibrant for years to come. The weapon 
systems tested in Northwest Florida today maintain U.S. military 
superiority, provide the equipment and resources for the men and woman 
serving this Nation to accomplish their missions, and keep them safe.
  He is married to the former Robin Church, and together they have 
three children--U.S. Air Force Captain Jacquelyn Perr; U.S. Army 2d 
Lieutenant Daniel Plumb; and U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet Alexander 
Plumb.
  During his 27 years in the military, he spent almost 8 years serving 
the Air Force in the First Congressional District of Florida. His 
tireless work has benefited our community enormously. I'm pleased to 
hear we will continue to profit from his leadership in the Northwest 
Florida community as he retires in Niceville.
  Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am proud to 
recognize Colonel Plumb for his excellent leadership and extraordinary 
service to the United States Air Force. His contributions to national 
security will continue to benefit the Nation. From all the constituents 
of Florida's First Congressional District, I would like to congratulate 
him on his retirement and wish him well in his future endeavors.

                          ____________________