Recognizing Colonel Kevin Kennedy

Floor Speech

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Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, today I recognize Colonel Kevin Kennedy, commander of the 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth Air Force Base, near Rapid City, SD. Colonel Kennedy has been the commander at Ellsworth for the past 2 years, and has served in his position admirably.

Colonel Kennedy began his career at the Air Force Academy in Colorado. He is a B-1 pilot who went on to serve at Ellsworth on multiple occasions, including as deputy commander of the 28th Operations Group as recently as 2010. During his career he also served as the vice commander of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in South West Asia and as the director of the Air Force Strategic Study Group at the Pentagon here in DC.

When he came back to Ellsworth 2 years ago as base commander, my office was working with the Air Force on a 9-year project to expand the Powder River Training Complex, which is the primary training airspace for the B-1 bombers based at Ellsworth, as well as the B-52 bombers based in Minot Air Force Base, ND. When Colonel Kennedy arrived at Ellsworth as base commander, he made the completion of the Powder River Training Complex one of his top priorities, and he assured me that this airspace expansion would be completed under his watch. This was not a pledge he took lightly. Be it emphasizing the need for this airspace within the Air Force hierarchy or driving out to Montana to meet with Native American tribal leaders, Colonel Kennedy was willing to go the extra mile to bring this airspace home.

As a result of his efforts, in January of this year the Air Force signed the Record of Decision for the Powder River Training Complex expansion, which was approved by the FAA a few months later. Once this airspace is charted and operational, Ellsworth Air Force Base will save up to $23 million a year by being able to train closer to home. In addition, other aircraft from around the Nation can come to South Dakota to utilize this training space, improving overall readiness. The expanded Powder River Training Complex is a national treasure.

I want to thank Colonel Kennedy for his commitment to this project and for his service to our Nation. He really is a shining example of the dedication and leadership that makes America's Air Force the greatest in the world.

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