[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 77 (Monday, June 19, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S5359]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO LT. GEN. MICHAEL C. SHORT, USAF

 Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, today, I recognize the outstanding 
service to our Nation of Lieutenant General Michael C. Short. Lt. 
General Short will retire on July 1, 2000, after an outstanding career 
in the United States Air Force. During a 35 year career, General Short 
distinguished himself as a fighter pilot, warfighter, and trusted 
leader.
  Throughout his career, General Short commanded at all levels, both 
overseas and in the continental United States. A 1965 graduate of the 
U.S. Air Force Academy, he is a command pilot with more than 4,600 
flying hours in fighter aircraft, including 276 combat missions in 
Southeast Asia. His impressive list of accomplishments include command 
of the 4th Aircraft Generation Squadron, 334th Tactical Fighter 
Squadron, 4450th Tactical Group, 355th Tactical Training Wing, 67th 
Tactical Reconnaissance Wing and the 4404th Composite Wing.
  During his last assignment, General Short commanded the Allied Air 
Forces Southern Europe, Stabilization Forces Air Component, and Kosovo 
Forces Air Component, Naples, Italy, and the 16th Air Force and 16th 
Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force, U.S. Air Forces in Europe, 
Aviano Air Base, Italy. As commander of these forces, he was the air 
principal subordinate commander and the joint and combined forces air 
component commander for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) 
Southern Region. He also was responsible for the planning and 
employment of NATO's air forces in the Mediterranean area of operations 
from Gibraltar to Eastern Turkey and air operations throughout the 
Balkans. General Short led the 16th Air Force during what was, without 
question, the most demanding period in its history--a time when it 
fulfilled a NATO mission of peace enforcement in Bosnia-Herzegovina and 
later, participated in a NATO-led air war, which removed Slobodan 
Milosevic's Serbian military and police forces from Kosovo.
  A consummate professional, General Mike Short's performance of duty 
during the past thirty-five years of service personify those traits of 
courage, competency and integrity that we expect from our military 
officers. His career reflects a deep commitment to our country, to 
dedicated and selfless service, and to excellence. On behalf of the 
United States Senate and the people of this great Nation, I commend him 
for his exemplary service and offer heartfelt appreciation for a job 
well done. We wish him and his family Godspeed and all the best in 
their future endeavors.

                          ____________________