Date: 2001-09-10
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. this morning I would like to rise to pay tribute to a great American. General Michael E. Ryan. the chief of staff of the United States Air Force. His departure on September 6 last week from active duty signaled an evolutionary change: the first time in 63 years. if you can believe that. that a Ryan is absent from the roles of the United States Air Force. His father. General John Ryan. also served as a senior uniformed Air Force officer. General Mike Ryans career spanned over 3 decades during which he distinguished himself as an airman leader and trusted advisor to both the President and the United States Congress. After graduating from the Air Force Academy in 1965. General Ryan began his illustrious career of faithful service to this Nation. During his 36 years of service. he commanded at the squadron. wing. numbered air force and major command levels. He flew combat missions in southeast Asia. including 100 missions over north Vietnam. He was a fighter pilot. I can tell you that. I was one. too. and he was a fighter pilots fighter pilot. He also served in key assignments at the major command level. - headquarters of the United States Air Force and the joint staff right.here in Washington. DC. As commander of the 16th Air Force and allied forces southern Europe in Italy. he directed the NATO air combat operations in BosniaHerzegovina that directly contributed to the Dayton peace accords. He was the head of the Air Force at the time when we used the B2 bomber to great effectiveness in that war. General Ryan is a command pilot with more than 4.100 hours flying time in seven different aircraft. including 153 combat missions. His decorations and medals include: the Defense Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster. the Distinguished Service Medal. the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters. the Distinguished Flying Cross. the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters. the Air Medal with 11 oak leaf clusters. the Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters. and the Vietnam Service Medal with three service stars. After serving as the commander of the United States Air Force in Europe and commander of the allied air forces in central Europe. General Ryan took the stick of the Air Force as its 16th chief of staff. He has exemplified the quiet dignity and honor of that office. His leadership. integrity and foresight set the right vector for our 21st century Air Force. and his expeditionary force concept is now in being. History has proven that a true leader sets the right vector and then clears the path to allow his commanders to truly command their units. General Ryan personifies this type of leader. and I quote. "I do not think leadership should be personalized. Good ideas are best when they do not have a single identity. Leadership is a team effort." I want to take a moment. if I can. to identify the remarkable accomplishments of General Ryans team effort. He and his leidership team have successfully arrested the Air Force readiness decline of the last decade. They HCO h built stability into the expedition y operation�.Qur Nation demands by reorganizing the United States Air Force. He has led the Air Force retention and recruiting effort that ensured quality was never sacrificed for quantity in an allvolunteer force competing in a strong job market. He led the effort to provide lifetime health care and a retirement system that properly compensates the members service to his country. He was a people person. and he believed in the people that were in the United States Air Force. In a period of leadership challenges. General Ryan led our Air Force through 4 tumultuous years. balancing reduction in force with increased operational tasking. Without question. the United States Air Force is the worlds premier aerospace force. and our country owes a debt of gratitude to General Mike Ryan. One key contributor to the U.S. Air Force "One family. one Air Force" and a person General Ryan owes much of his success to is his wife.. Jane Ryan. who was instrumental in dealing with the personnel problems of the military throughout the Air Force. With dignity and grace. she selflessly gave her time and attention to the men and women of the Air Force family. Her sacrifice and devotion served as an example and inspiration for others. The Air Force lost not one but two very exceptional people. Last Thursdays review ceremony at Andrews Air Force Base was a demonstration of the total force concept that exemplified the superb ability of our airmen and officers that General Ryan has led and improved during his tenure. Those F4D that flew by were a symbol of his career as fighter pilot and his combat excellence. He actually flew in an F16 the day before. In closing. the Air Force is a better institution today than it was 4 years ago. General Ryans distinguished and faithful service provided a significant and lasting contribution to our. Air Force and our Nations security. He has served our Nation with honor and distinction. I know the Members of both the House and Senate join me in paying tribute to this outstanding American patriot upon his retirement from the United States Air Force. We thank him. wish him and his family much health. happiness and God speed. General Ryan. good flight. mission complete.