[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 25365]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



               TRIBUTE TO LT. GEN. ROBERT E. HAILS (RET.)

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SAXBY CHAMBLISS

                               of geogia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 27, 2000

  Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. Speaker, I want to honor a great American, retired 
Lieutenant General Robert E. Hails, who has recently been selected for 
induction into the State of Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame.
  Lt. Gen. Hails graduated from Auburn University and received his 
wings and commission in 1944 at Moody Field in Valdosta, Georgia. 
During World War II, he completed 26 missions flying the B-24 Liberator 
bomber in the Pacific theater. After the war, Lt. Gen. Hails was 
instrumental in helping develop critical technology such as the first 
Heads Up Display (HUD), the use of an inertial gyroscope platform (IGP) 
for automatic navigation and guidance of aircraft and bomb launch, and 
the first use of a digital computer to control and integrate HUD and 
IGP systems. The Heads Up Display which Lt. Gen. Hails helped develop 
is essential to many of the newest and most important military aircraft 
in our force today, including the F-22, F-117, the F-14, and F-15.
  These innovations greatly assisted American pilots in performing 
their missions to defend and protect American interests around the 
world and even now serve commercial aviation by providing increased 
safety during takeoffs and landings in poor weather conditions.
  As the Director of Maintenance Engineering, Air Force Logistics 
Command, in 1968, Lt. Gen. Hails was responsible for engineering and 
developing of the pilotless reconnaissance aircraft used for missions 
over hostile territory during the Vietnam War. As Commander of the 
Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, he provided engineering and 
logistical support to a range of crucial weapons system upon which our 
military consistently relied, including Air Force helicopters, C-130, 
C-141, F-15, and U-2 aircraft. His role as Vice Commander of Tactical 
Air Command and Deputy Chief of Staff of the Air Force have left a 
lasting legacy on our military which has most certainly contributed in 
developing the superior Air Force that continues to bravely and 
courageously serve our nation today.
  Lt. Gen. Hails deserves our greatest recognition. I have had the 
honor and pleasure of knowing and working with Lt. Gen. Hails. His 
important contributions to American engineering and aviation are well 
known, and I offer my sincerest congratulations to him on his induction 
into the State of Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame. His character, 
patriotism, and values are an inspiration to each of us and I am proud 
to pay tribute to this great American who has given so much for his 
country.

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