General Wayne Downing

Koehler announces bid for 17th Congressional District seat

As the owner of a small business — “When you write out checks for your employees, you know you’re a part of this recovery effort and a part of what makes this community strong.” — he expects jobs and the economy to be major planks of his election platform, particularly in terms of working to ensure the government can work to create what he stressed should be private-sector positions. The 62-year-old lawmaker has served in Springfield since 2006 and served on the Peoria County Board and Peoria City Council during the 1980s and 1990s, respectively. He also spent close to two decades heading the Peoria Area Labor Management Council (PALM). In the spring of 2010 he floated his name as a replacement candidate for lieutenant governor on the Democratic ticket with Gov. Pat Quinn, but lost out on the selection to now-Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon. Working in the Senate, he points to accomplishments including working to expand the taxing district for what is now the Gen. Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport from a small portion of Peoria County into a territory that did a better job encapsulating citizens who use the facility. He credits that expansion for helping the airport authority be able to fund the recently opened terminal facility that “is state of the art” and that “in the long run is going to say ‘we’re open for business’” and enhance commerce around the region. Koehler recognizes that his vote in January to raise the state’s income tax — “temporarily,” he stresses — may cost him some support, but believes the vote is defended by needing to “get our house in order. This year we had no choice. We had to cut spending (as well), and we had to do it in as responsible a way as we possibly could.” In a district as sprawling as the 17th, running from Peoria north and west along the Mississippi River to the Quad Cities, and then northeast to Rockford and the Wisconsin border, Koehler expects to have to introduce himself to plenty of folks who may not know him. But, he said, “I’ve got a record to run on. People will challenge me on it, and I’ll be using it to represent what I can do.” Schilling of Colona already has indicated he intends to seek re-election in the coming year, but refused further comment. Spokeswoman Andie Pivarunas said on his behalf that “Rep. Schilling ...

General Wayne A. Downing - Passing of an American Hero (SWJ Blog)

General Wayne Downing , US Army (Ret.), passed today and will be missed by those that knew him best and those that did not know him but benefited from his leadership, command presence and life-time dedication and critical contributions to our profession and way of life. Our condolences and best wishes to General Downing's family, friends and brothers in arms. John Collins (USA Ret. via the Warlord Loop)

Lieutenant General Sam Wilson just telephoned me, and notifies that General Wayne Downing's funeral service and interment will be at West Point at times and dates to be announced.

From the US Military Academy at West Point

General Wayne A. Downing, a member of the Class of 1962, has brought extraordinary credit to the United States Military Academy through his lifetime of uniquely distinguished service to the Nation. As a combat leader, educator, global strategist, and national security expert, Wayne Downing´s critical contributions to national defense and security have immeasurably raised the prominence of West Point as an institution vital to the American way of life.

Wayne Downing served the Nation in critical roles during three decades of our Nation´s wars. Upon commissioning into the Infantry, he embarked on a thirty-four-year military career, rising to the rank of four-star general and the position of commander of all United States Special Operations forces. His reputation was that of a smart, decisive, forceful, and caring leader, known in particular for his unwavering determination to accomplish any mission assigned and provide his soldiers the best possible support. Since retiring from the Army in 1996, General Downing has repeatedly answered the call of public service. He is one of our Nation’s foremost advisors and experts on fighting the war on global terrorism. General Downing´s career has epitomized the phrase "lifetime of service to the Nation" and exemplified ideals inherent in Duty, Honor, Country.

Granted a competitive appointment to the United States Military Academy as the Son of a Deceased War Veteran (WW II) from the State of Illinois, Wayne Downing´s early military career included assignments on Okinawa and in the Republic of Vietnam with the 173d Airborne Brigade, followed by instructor duties at the Infantry School and company-level command in the 1st Training Brigade at the United States Army Infantry Training Center, Fort Benning, Georgia, in 1968. He then returned to Vietnam to command Company A, 2d Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, followed by duties as the Battalion and then the 2d Brigade Operations Officer.

Boom!, Voices of the Sixties Personal Reflections on the '60s and Today

... Without End 543 David Cadwell 545 General Colin Powell 550 General Wayne Downing 5 57 Senator John McCain 565 Senator Bob Kerrey 572 Senator Chuck Hagel ...

Special operations forces, roles and missions in the aftermath of the Cold War

GENERAL WAYNE A. DOWNING, USA, is the Commander ... Since his retirement, General Hoar has founded a consulting firm, JP Hoar & Associates. MR. ...

Al-Qażidażs (Mis)Adventures in the Horn of Africa

Key Themes Going to Ogaden Abu Hafs sent a team of al-Qa'ida operatives in January 1993 from Peshawar, Afghanistan to Nairobia, Kenya to train the General ...

Unconventional warfare, rebuilding U.S. special operations forces

The general description of the operation comes from these sources unless otherwise noted. 7. Letter from General Wayne Downing to the author, March 24, ...

Managing contemporary conflict, pillars of success

6 New National Security Challenges General Wayne A. Downing The fall of the Berlin Wall and the subsequent dissolution of the Soviet Union signaled the end ...