[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 38 (Thursday, February 26, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Page S703]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO COLONEL CHESLEY L. DYCUS

  Mr. CRAMER. Mr. President, I rise today to honor a great American and 
an exceptional member of the U.S. Air Force, Col. Chesley Dycus.
  As the chief of the Air Force Senate Legislative Liaison Division 
from July 2024 to July 2025, Chesley performed his duties well and 
without reservation supporting the 118th and 119th U.S. Congresses. 
Hailing from Waverly, TN, and a graduate from the U.S. Air Force 
Academy, where he also played baseball, Chesley has served in the Air 
Force for over 25 years. He is a command pilot with over 3,800 hours of 
flight time in a variety of aircraft. Throughout his career, he has 
demonstrated exceptional and unrivaled officership in a myriad of 
positions from wing command to Acting Deputy National Security Advisor 
to the Vice President of the United States, all critical to U.S. 
defense and national security world-wide.
  Chesley distinguished himself through his professional character and 
dedication by serving this Nation in uniform as chief of the Air Force 
Legislative Liaison Division to the Senate. In this role, he advised 
Department of the Air Force senior leaders and helped develop strategic 
engagement opportunities to advance U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force 
priorities. His leadership facilitated seamless collaboration on behalf 
of the Department of the Air Force across 63 congressional offices. He 
supported numerous engagements and delegations for 150 Senators, 
Congressmen, and staffers to showcase Department equities in the United 
States and abroad. Most notably, Chesley's advice shaped support for 
the Department of the Air Force's efforts to optimize for near-peer 
conflict and drove hearing engagements with 27 Senate Armed Service 
Committee members in support of Department leaders. These briefings 
effectively communicated the Department's modernization and resource 
requirements to address pacing challenges abroad. His efforts helped 
ensure the Department of the Air Force's support of the National 
Defense Strategy in the return to Great Power Competition.
  With steadfast dedication, Chesley connected Members of Congress with 
key decision-makers, including the Secretary of the Air Force, leading 
to significant progress on critical Department of the Air Force 
initiatives. He secured critical funding for Air Force and Space Force 
birthday celebrations and the Secretary of the Air Force's Capitol Hill 
Holiday Reception, successfully executing all three events. These 
initiatives fostered strategic engagements between 32 Members of 
Congress and 24 Department of the Air Force senior leaders, 
strengthening congressional support for crucial national security 
priorities.
  Finally, Chesley, as a master of relationship building, cultivated a 
service-oriented culture within the Department of the Air Force's 
Senate liaison team. His leadership ensured the delivery of strategic, 
prompt, and precise communications to Senators. Under his direction, 
the team facilitated 88 Department of the Air Force engagements on 
Capitol Hill and 12 congressional and staff delegation trips of great 
national security significance, including the Reagan National Defense 
Forum, bolstering the Department of the Air Force's 2025 National 
Defense Authorization Act priorities and 2026 budget request. These 
engagements helped U.S. Senators and their staffs understand defense 
equities and their impact on national security. Due to his direct 
involvement and stewardship, Members of Congress were able to make 
informed decisions and ensured the Department of the Air Force was 
properly resourced and funded.
  After serving in this crucial role and becoming a fixture on Capitol 
Hill, Col. Chesley Dycus will continue to work in the Department of the 
Air Force Legislative Liaison as its deputy director. Chesley and his 
wife Jenna have instilled a legacy of service for their children 
Chesley and Lila. They have sacrificed much as a family in service to 
our Nation. I am thankful for Chesley's service and his work with my 
office and the Senate over the past year on issues of vital importance 
to the defense of the United States. I salute this American patriot 
whose selfless service has kept our country safe and strong.

                          ____________________