[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 93 (Wednesday, June 6, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S3030]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO GENERAL LORI J. ROBINSON

 Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, Gen. Lori J. Robinson, USAF, 
will officially retire from Active Duty later this summer. This week, 
General Robinson's friends and family are gathering in Crystal City to 
celebrate her career. In advance of that event, I wanted to say a few 
words about this exemplary military officer and honorary Alaskan who 
has devoted her entire 36-year career to the security of our Nation.
  General Robinson was born in Big Springs, TX. She is the oldest of 
five children. Her father served over 30 years in the Air Force, so she 
was not a stranger to the military lifestyle. General Robinson 
completed her undergraduate work at New Hampshire University in English 
and was commissioned as an Air Force officer through the ROTC Program 
in 1981. Entering the Air Force, she was trained as an air battle 
manager. General Robinson spent several years mastering her craft 
before completing the weapons instructor course as a distinguished 
graduate from the Air Force Weapons School. She served in several 
locations to include Florida, Philippines, Nevada, Hawaii, Oklahoma, 
Colorado, Southwest Asia, and multiple stints in the Nation's Capital.
  While General Robinson served both across the Air Force and the 
country, it was in 1989 when then-Captain Robinson arrived at Pacific 
Air Forces, PACAF, for her first assignment at the headquarters. As the 
chief of current operations and command briefer, General Robinson 
gained breadth beyond her operational duties as an air battle manager. 
She would return 26 years later in 2014 to assume command of PACAF, 
becoming the first female Air Force officer to lead an Air Force major 
component command. General Robinson met the challenges of a command 
spanning 13 time zones and 100 million square miles of air space head 
on, providing effective leadership to the command during a challenging 
time for the Air Force.
  As PACAF commander, General Robinson oversaw U.S. Air Force 
operations at Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson and Eielson Air Force 
Base in Alaska. She was generous in her support for Alaska's airmen and 
graciously keynoted the 47th Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce 
Military Appreciation Banquet in 2015.
  Following General Robinson's time as the PACAF commander, she took 
command of North American Aerospace Defense Command, NORAD, and U.S. 
Northern Command, USNORTHCOM, in May 2016. In this final assignment, 
General Robinson made history again as the first female to command a 
combatant command. Tasked with the defense of the North American 
continent, General Robinson has faced down challenges ranging from 
nuclear threats from North Korea to a series of severe natural 
disasters. Managing disaster relief for 10 hurricanes while 
simultaneously providing aid for the wildfires that affected over 10 
million acres in 2017 strained the commands and their resources, but 
General Robinson used the challenges to help expand the commands' 
readiness and capabilities.
  General Robinson's strong relationship with Alaska continued in that 
role, as Alaskan Command is a subunified combatant command of 
USNORTHCOM. During her tenure as the NORAD and USNORTHCOM commander, 
General Robinson made several visits to Alaska and worked to bolster 
the military's presence in the State. She advocated for the sustainment 
of and funding for the Alaska Radar System, and she appreciated the 
significance of joint training and exercises that take place in the 
State. General Robinson's focus on these aspects of military readiness 
has helped grow the capabilities of the military in Alaska and, as a 
result, has increased the defense of the United States. Recognizing the 
importance of excellent military-community relations, General Robinson 
graciously keynoted the 2018 Salute to the Military in Anchorage, 
sponsored by the Armed Services YMCA.
  General Robinson has led a career in the Air Force that reflects its 
core values: integrity first, service before self, and excellence in 
all we do. She is an example to all who serve, especially the young 
women looking for a path to success in the military. At every step 
along the way, she has supported and been supported by her husband, 
Maj. Gen. (retired) David Robinson. They are a truly unique pair of 
military talents and a model for dual-career military families. The 
impact the two of them have had on the Air Force and our country cannot 
be understated.
  Although retirement will pull General Robinson from the Air Force, I 
understand she is looking forward to spending time with her children 
and grandchildren. We Alaskans are proud of the impact General Robinson 
has had on our State during her time in the service, and we are proud 
of the impact we have had on her. She is an exemplary officer and a 
true example for all women looking to succeed in the military. I hope 
that, as General Robinson enjoys her time in retirement, she brings her 
family to visit Alaska sometime soon.
  On behalf of my Senate colleagues, I take this opportunity to thank 
General Robinson for her service and wish her well in her 
retirement.

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