[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 150 (Monday, September 18, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1242]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING MAJOR GENERAL GREGORY S. CHAMPAGNE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BLAINE LUETKEMEYER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 18, 2017

  Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the retirement of 
Major General Gregory S. Champagne who will retire from the United 
States Air Force and the Missouri Air National Guard on November 1, 
2017 with 36 years of dedicated service. Since his commissioning, Major 
General Champagne has spent his career as a Missouri Air National 
Guardsman and currently serves as the Air National Guard Advisor to the 
Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command at the Barksdale Air Force 
Base in Louisiana where training, equipping, and maintenance for all 
United States intercontinental ballistic missile and bomber forces are 
conducted. The Air Force Global Strike Command provides strategic 
deterrence, global strike, and combat support and houses the nation's 
inventory of Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles, B-1, B-
2, and B-52 bomber aircraft under its nine wings.
  In 1981, Major General Champagne received his commission through the 
Academy of Military Science. He has served on numerous assignments such 
as wing staff assignments, logistics and flying operations and has 
flown in combat missions in Operations Provide Comfort and Southern 
Watch. Furthermore, he commanded the 207th Air Expeditionary Group at 
Tallil Air Base, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Prior to his 
current post, Major General Champagne was Commander, 131st Bomb Wing, 
Missouri Air National Guard, and Whiteman Air Force Base. At Whiteman, 
he oversaw the National Guard's only B-2 unit that provides nearly 
1,100 combat-ready Airmen for both state and federal missions.
  Throughout his many years of service, Major General Champagne has 
received numerous awards and decorations including: Legion of Merit 
with oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal 
with two oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Army 
Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit 
Award, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with oak leaf cluster, Combat 
Readiness Medal with two silver oak leaf clusters and two bronze oak 
leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal with bronze star, Armed 
Forces Expeditionary Medal with bronze star, and Iraq Campaign Medal 
with bronze star.
  Major General Champagne intends to spend precious moments with his 
wife, Cheri Champagne and his sons, 1st Lieutenant Clayton Champagne 
and wife, Cara, and Captain Tyler Champagne and wife, Kris and his 
grandson Nicolas.
  I ask you to join me in recognizing this distinguished public 
servant, Major General Gregory S. Champagne on his retirement after 36 
years of dedicated service to our nation. This retirement is well 
deserved.

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