[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 64 (Thursday, April 30, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E632]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                A TRIBUTE TO GENERAL JANET WOLFENBARGER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL R. TURNER

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 30, 2015

  Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to pay tribute 
to General Janet Wolfenbarger, the first female four-star general for 
the United States Air Force, for her 35 years of distinguished and 
honorable service in the United States Air Force and to our Nation.
  General Wolfenbarger has had a distinguished career, beginning with 
her graduation from the United States Air Force Academy. She has held a 
variety of assignments at headquarters Electronic Security Command and 
Air Force Systems Command. The General has held several positions in 
the F-22 System Program office, served as the F-22 Lead Program Element 
Monitor and was the B-2 System Program Director for the Aeronautical 
Systems Center. She commanded the Aeronautical Systems Center's C-17 
Systems Group, Mobility Systems Wing. She was the Service's Director of 
the Air Force Acquisition Center of Excellence at the Pentagon, and 
then served as Director of the Headquarters AFMC Intelligence and 
Requirements Directorate. She served as AFMC Vice Commander and as the 
Military Deputy to the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air 
Force for Acquisitions.
  As Commander of AFMC, General Wolfenbarger authorized and directed 
groundbreaking initiatives, revolutionizing how the Air Force and AFMC 
will conduct business for years to come. Gen Wolfenbarger oversaw the 
successful reorganization of AFMC from 12-Centers to 5-Centers. This 
dramatic reinvention of the Command led to a myriad of innovative 
mission and cost effectiveness programs, such as the Air Force Life 
Cycle Management Center's Should Cost initiative and the Air Force 
Sustainment Center's Road to a Billion and Beyond. Furthermore, she 
collaborated with the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force 
(Acquisition) to develop the Bending the Cost Curve initiative, an 
effort designed to improve internal Air Force acquisition processes, 
enhance industry interactions throughout the acquisition lifecycle, and 
expand competition among traditional and non-traditional industry 
partners. Finally, she fulfilled the Secretary of the Air Force's 
vision for the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center reorganization effort 
and guided the stand-up of the Air Force Installation and Mission 
Support Center.
  She received numerous military awards for her service including the 
Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with oak leaf 
cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, 
the Air Force Commendation Medal, and the Air Force Achievement Medal. 
She also received the highest honor from the Air Force enlisted corps, 
the Order of the Sword.
  I have known General Wolfenbarger for many years and deeply value the 
service she provided to our country. Although she will be sorely 
missed, I wish her nothing but the best in her future endeavors. 
General Wolfenbarger encompasses a myriad of noble traits but her 
honesty, her ability to provide straight assessment and her 
uncompromising ethical character have truly set her apart from the rest 
in her distinguished career. Her service and her dedication to duty 
honor the Air Force and our great nation. General Wolfenbarger truly 
exemplifies the core values of the Air Force, ``Integrity First, 
Service Before Self, Excellence in All We Do.''

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