U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, gave the keynote address at the Museum of Aviation’s 35^th Anniversary Celebration in Warner Robins, Georgia.

Special guests included former U.S. Senator Sam Nunn; the Honorable Robert McMahon, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Sustainment; and Brigadier General John Kubinec, Commander of the Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex.

Highlights:

Most Lethal Fighting Force: “Make no mistake: today, our military is the most lethal fighting force in the history of humankind. Georgia is on the front lines of that effort. Our state is home to nine military installations that contain some of the most cutting-edge developments in our military, including the U.S. Cyber Command headquarters at Fort Gordon, the Robotics Innovation Center at Fort Benning, and one of only two nuclear ballistic submarine bases in America at Kings Bay. The thing I’m most excited about for Georgia is what’s coming. Robins Air Force Base has been named the headquarters for the Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS).”

Honoring Senator Sam Nunn: “Georgia’s important role in our national security is due in part to the leadership of U.S. Senator Sam Nunn. Thanks to Sam’s bipartisan leadership, the United States military is bigger, stronger, and better prepared to face threats around the world today. Sam and Colleen, thank you very much for your lifetime of support and service to our U.S. military and for what you’ve done for our community, our state, our country, and our world.”

America’s Aviation Power: “When I was a kid, I remember watching B-52s and KC-135s taking off during the Cuban Missile Crisis. It made me realize just how important the United States Air Force is to our national defense. In the years since, Robins has evolved its role as threats to our country have changed. From B-52s to the ABMS, Robins has always been an epicenter of America’s aviation power, and it always will be.”

Breaking Barriers: “What has always made aviation special is that it breaks barriers – and not just physical ones. Amelia Earhart proved that gender doesn’t matter in an airplane. Matt Guthmiller, a college kid from MIT, proved in 2014 that age really is just a number. At 19 years old, he became the youngest person to ever fly solo around the world. Then there’s Georgia’s own Eugene Bullard, whose statue stands just outside this building. Bullard broke the bonds of racism to become the first African-American fighter pilot in U.S. history during World War I. Examples like these are the cornerstone of aviation and of the United States Air Force today.”

Sword & Shield: “When members of the Air Force take the Airmen’s Creed, they pledge to be our nation’s ‘sword and shield, its sentry and avenger.’ No matter where conflict has been, from World War I to the fight against terrorism, pilots and their support crews have been on the front lines to protect us all. They have been and always will be our sword and shield. This museum is a constant reminder of what aviation has meant, and what it will continue to mean in the future.”

35 Years Of Excellence: “Robins Air Force Base and the people of Middle Georgia have been instrumental in standing in the face of our adversaries for nearly 80 years. For the last hundred years, aviation has been critical in defending our freedom. The Museum of Aviation had done incredible work to tell this story for future generations. I congratulate you on 35 years of excellence, and I look forward to what you are going to do in the future.”