[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 89 (Tuesday, June 7, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3537-S3538]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO ADMIRAL BILL GORTNEY

  Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, today I honor an exceptional leader and 
aviator. After 39 years, a lifetime of service to our Nation, ADM Bill 
Gortney is retiring from the U.S. Navy. On this occasion, I find it 
fitting to recognize Admiral Gortney's many accomplishments and years 
of uniformed service to our Nation.
  As the son of a U.S. Navy captain and WWII aviator, Admiral Gortney 
was no stranger to the challenges and opportunities of naval aviation. 
After graduating from Elon College with a bachelor of arts in history 
and political science, he entered the Aviation Officer Candidate School 
and commissioned in the U.S. Naval Reserve in 1977. He earned his wings 
of gold as a naval aviator following his graduation from the jet strike 
pilot training pipeline in 1978. He is a 1996 graduate of Naval War 
College and earned his master of arts in international security 
affairs.
  Admiral Gortney moved through the ranks quickly, moving from 
commander to four-star admiral in 8 years. Despite his rapid ascent 
through the command naval ranks, Admiral Gortney still managed to log 
over 5,360 mishap-free flight hours and completed over 1,265 carrier-
arrested landings primarily in the A-7E Corsair II and the F/A-18 
Hornet. Admiral Gortney has completed seven tours of command, starting 
with the VFA-15 Vallions and culminating with his third commanding tour 
in U.S. Central Command, as commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central 
Command / U.S. 5th Fleet, where he provided support to maritime 
security operations and combat operations for Operations Enduring 
Freedom And Iraqi Freedom.
  Admiral Gortney's first flag tour was as the deputy chief of staff 
for Global Force Management and Joint Operation, U.S. Fleet Forces 
Command in Norfolk. This was followed by assignment as Commander, 
Carrier Strike Group 10 onboard the USS Harry S Truman, during which 
time he was promoted to a two-star rear admiral. After promotion to his 
third star, he was assigned as Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central 
Command/U.S. 5th Fleet/Combined Maritime Forces, Bahrain. He also 
served as director, joint staff, from 2010-2012. In 2012, he became 
Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command. His final assignment prior to 
retirement was that of Commander, North American Aerospace Defense 
Command and U.S. Northern Command. It is the first and only position 
that places a single military commander in charge of the protection of

[[Page S3538]]

our Nation from any potential attacks on U.S. soil. It is also the only 
binational command in the world's existence between Canada and the 
United States.
  During his tenure there, Admiral Gortney redefined the mission for 
USNORTHCOM's future, furthering the bonds that have secured the skies 
above the homelands for 60 years. He built a personal trust critical to 
the strength of the alliance with our partners in Canada, Mexico, and 
the Bahamas and was able to expand the traditional bounds of security 
cooperation. He increased military-to-military training and 
interaction. Within the homeland, Admiral Gortney's keen intuition led 
to a deliberate campaign plan to protect the United States forces from 
the threat of homegrown violent extremists. He led the Department of 
Defense planning to support lead Federal agencies to minimize the 
threat of both the Ebola and Zika viruses.
  Throughout his career, Admiral Gortney's message of empowerment and 
his relentless desire to seek creative solutions to the commands' 
challenges has served as an example to all during his lifetime 
exemplary of military service. I join with the members of the Senate 
Armed Services Committee in expressing my respect and gratitude to 
Admiral Gortney for his outstanding service to our Nation. I offer 
heartfelt thanks to Bill; his wife, Sherry; their children, Stephanie 
and Billy; daughter-in-law, Jackie; and grandchildren, Gavin and 
Grayson. Congratulations to all on Bill's retirement from the U.S. Navy 
after a lifetime of dedicated service. To Bill, trusted leader and 
dedicated patriot, fair winds and following seas.

                          ____________________