[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 18]
[Senate]
[Page 24205]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO GENERAL BRUCE CARLSON

 Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize GEN Bruce 
Carlson, one of our most distinguished commanders who will retire from 
the U.S. Air Force on January 1, 2009, after completing 37 years of 
distinguished service to our Nation.
  General Carlson currently serves as the Commander of the Air Force 
Materiel Command--AFMC--in Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH. As 
Commander of AFMC, General Carlson manages the command's 77,000 people 
in research, development, test, and evaluation while providing the 
acquisition management services and logistics support required to 
develop, procure, and sustain Air Force weapon systems. His workforce 
of active duty, civilian, and contractor personnel are the unsung 
heroes, managing an annual budget of over $56 billion, more than 40 
percent of the total AF budget, and ensuring our warfighters are 
equipped with the best equipment in the world.
  General Carlson was born in Hibbing, MN, and began his accomplished 
career in 1971 when he graduated as a ``Distinguished Graduate'' from 
the Air Force ROTC program at the University of Minnesota, Duluth. From 
the day he pinned on his butter bars through his four silver stars, Gen 
Bruce Carlson has been a leader and continues to lead and mentor airmen 
in the air and on the ground.
  After graduating from the University of Minnesota, he went on to 
undergraduate pilot training at Vance Air Force Base in Oklahoma--a 
base I know well and the finest pilot training base in the U.S. His 
first assignment out of pilot training was in the F-4 Phantom II and 
then he transitioned into the OV-10 Bronco and A-10 Warthog. During his 
career he logged over 3,300 flying hours to include combat time in the 
OV-10. His work ethic and unparalleled skill resulted in his posting to 
positions of influence in the offices of the Secretary of the Air Force 
and Secretary of Defense. His skill as a pilot and a leader led to 
various flying assignments, including commanding the 49th Fighter Wing 
at Holloman Air Force Base, NM, the Air Force's first stealth fighter 
wing.
  As with every great officer, his star continued to rise as he met 
every promotion with dedication and integrity. Moving on to serve as 
the Director of Force Structure, Resources, and Assessment on the Joint 
Staff and finally, prior to assuming Command of AFMC, General Carlson 
served as the Commander, 8th Air Force, Barksdale Air Force Base, 
Louisiana and Joint Functional Component Commander for Space and Global 
Strike, U.S. Strategic Command, Offutt AFB, NE.
  General Carlson has received several distinguished awards including 
the Defense Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Legion 
of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air 
Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, and the 2007 Order 
of the Sword, Air Force Materiel Command. He was also awarded master's 
degrees from Webster University in St. Louis, MO, and the Naval War 
College in Newport, RI.
  In the Chief of Staff's recommendation for the Order of the Sword, 
General Schwarz wrote, ``General Carlson culminates a distinguished 
career of more than 37 years of Air Force service, with focused 
leadership, a selfless commitment to excellence and tireless 
dedication. His vision and leadership transformed Air Force Materiel 
Command into the preeminent provider of war-winning capabilities . . 
.'' I cannot agree more. In an era of persistent conflict and 
constrained budgets, General Carson's dedication to making sure the 
warfighter has what he needs to fight and win is inspiring.
  I offer my sincere thanks and appreciation to Gen Bruce Carlson, his 
wife Vicki, and his three children, Bryan, Jani, and Scott. The 
strength of our airmen is in their families, and their support allowed 
him to dedicate 37 years of leadership and service to the men and women 
of the Air Force and our country. I wish him and his family well in all 
his future endeavors.

                          ____________________