[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 71 (Tuesday, April 23, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S2996]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN WILLIAM C. PENNINGTON

  Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize CAPT William C. 
Pennington for his exemplary dedication to duty and service to the U.S. 
Navy and to the United States of America. I have personally gotten to 
know Captain Pennington, or ``BP,'' over the past 3 years, while he 
served as the director of the Navy and Marine Corps Congressional 
Appropriations Matters Office.
  Captain Pennington was born in Chicago, IL, and raised in Dallas, TX. 
He began his Navy service in 1992 as a midshipman at the U.S. Naval 
Academy, where he was the captain of the men's varsity track and field 
team, and earned his bachelors of science degree in weapons and systems 
engineering. In 1996, he was commissioned as a naval officer from the 
U.S. Naval Academy and was assigned to the Bureau of Naval Personnel in 
Washington, DC, (PERS 43) until he began flight training in Pensacola, 
FL, in 1997.
  A career maritime patrol aviator, BP has valiantly served all over 
the world on behalf of our Nation. Throughout his 28 years of service 
he has completed operational tours in Kaneohe Bay, HI, with Patrol 
Squadron FOUR (VP-4), in Whidbey Island, WA, with Patrol Squadron FORTY 
(VP-40), and in Jacksonville, FL, where he commanded the ``War Eagles'' 
of Patrol Squadron SIXTEEN (VP-16). While in command, he led his crew 
on the Navy's first-ever P-8A Poseidon deployment. Additionally, at 
sea, he served as the Japan and China Pol-Mil/Exercise Office on the 
staff of Commander, U.S. Seventh Fleet onboard USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) 
operating out of Yokosuka, Japan.
  In his most recent operational tour he served as Commander, Task 
Force 67 (CTF 67) responsible for maritime patrol, reconnaissance, and 
expeditionary naval aviation forces operating in support of the U.S. 
Sixth Fleet.
  Captain Pennington's shore tours have included instructor duty at the 
Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Fleet Replacement Squadron (VP-30), 
deputy executive assistant to the Director, Air Warfare (N88/98), a 
joint tour on the Joint Staff in the J-8 Studies, Analysis, and Gaming 
Division, and as Multi-Mission Aircraft and Programs Branch Head and 
Maritime Patrol Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA) Requirements Officer at 
OPNAV N98. Following command of Task Force 67, he was assigned to OPNAV 
N9I as the deputy director of the Navy's Unmanned Campaign before 
assuming his current duties as Director, Navy and Marine Corps 
Congressional Appropriations Matters Office (FMBE) in March 2021.
  The importance of FMBE to the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee 
cannot be overstated. Established by law, FMBE serves as the 
committee's direct link to Navy leadership, and the committee relies on 
FMBE for timely and accurate information regarding the Navy's budget. 
As Director, Captain Pennington justified three budget submissions for 
the Department of Navy through continuous communication with Members of 
Congress and their staff. BP's rapport with Senators and their staffs 
enhanced transparency and reinforced trust in our Nation's Navy and 
Marine Corps team.

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