John Hansen: “today I rise in tribute to the Honorable F. Whitten Peters, the outgoing Secretary of the Air Force, who recently left…”

“today I rise in tribute to the Honorable F. Whitten Peters, the outgoing Secretary of the Air Force, who recently left office to return to private life. In his 4 years as Under Secretary, Acting Secretary and Secretary, Whit Peters led America's Air Force during a period of unprecedented change. Under his inspired leadership, the Air Force evolved from the garrison force that won the Cold War to the Expeditionary Aerospace Force that dominated the skies over Kosovo and Serbia, deterred conflict around the globe, and delivered comfort to the afflicted in over 100 nations during the last year alone. With unflagging energy and unfailing good humor, Secretary Peters has attached and overcome a broad array of resource problems affecting the Air Force. Colleagues on both sides of the aisle will well remember his work with us to secure additional resources for aircraft spare parts. He labored tirelessly to ensure that aircraft maintainers had the tools and equipment required to perform their important duties. And he made revolutionary use of Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve members to augment members of the Regular Air Force in keeping our aircraft flying. As a result of these and many other significant initiatives, the Air Force arrested a decade-long decline in aircraft readiness. With similar vigor and success, Secretary Peters has led the development of the Air Force as the service leader in the national security space arena.”