[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 81 (Monday, June 14, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S6728]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             TRIBUTE TO MAJOR ANNETTE ORTIZ, U.S. AIR FORCE

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I wish to take this opportunity to recognize 
an outstanding Air Force Officer, MAJ Annette Ortiz, for the tremendous 
work she has done as a member of my staff during the 108th Congress. It 
is my privilege to recognize her career accomplishments and to commend 
her for the superb service she has provided the Air Force, the great 
State of Mississippi, and our Nation.
  Major Ortiz earned her commission through ROTC at the University of 
Hawaii where she graduated in 1990 with a bachelor of arts degree in 
telecommunications with a minor in German. She completed specialized 
undergraduate navigator training at Mather Air Force Base in November 
1991, and KC-135 Combat Crew Training School at Castle Air Force Base 
in August 1992. In July 1994, Major Ortiz retrained into the C-130E at 
Little Rock Air Force Base, where she demonstrated academic excellence.
  Following flight school, Major Ortiz reported to the 906th Air 
Refueling Squadron, 43rd Air Refueling Wing, at Minot Air Force base. 
While assigned to the 906th, she deployed on inter-command refuelings 
in the Pacific, European, and Southwest Asian theaters. In support of 
Operation Restore Hope, the humanitarian re-supply operation in 
Somalia, she was the lone recipient of the coveted ``outstanding 
performance'' evaluation rating during the 15th Air Force 
Standardization and Evaluation Inspection. She also flew several combat 
missions into Tuzla and Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, including 
participation in Operations Provide Promise, Joint Endeavor, Deny 
Flight, Joint Guard, and other NATO supported European operations.
  Major Ortiz subsequently served as an Instructor Navigator, C-130E, 
for the 37th Airlift Squadron, 86th Airlift Wing, at Ramstein Air Force 
base. During this assignment, she instructed combat employment of the 
C-130 Adverse Weather Aerial Delivery System, AWADS, and Aircraft 
Defensive System, ADS. She also led tactical formations of multiple 
aircraft during joint airborne transportability training and special 
assignment airdrop missions. Following that assignment, Major Ortiz 
served as a C-130 FTU instructor navigator and assistant flight 
Commander at the 53rd Airlift Squadron, Little Rock Air Force base. In 
this capacity, she provided training to students from the US Armed 
Forces and 27 allied nations regarding combat mission planning, 
tactical formation, and airdrop/airland procedures.
  Major Ortiz's next assignment was air operations staff officer, 
Special Operations Command Pacific, Camp Smith, HI. During this tour, 
she was first attached to the Air Mobility Warfare Center Tactics 
Division where she assisted with the instruction of the Combat Aircrew 
Tactics Training course. She also updated and developed course 
curriculum, including the Blue Command and Control course that focused 
on development of tactics. Subsequently, Major Ortiz was attached to 
the headquarters Air Force, Directorate for Future Strategic Plan. In 
this capacity, she participated in the Quadrennial Defense Review and 
developed strategic personnel initiatives. Major Ortiz was instrumental 
in the formulation of doctrine and policy that pertained to the total 
force of Active, Reserve, and civilian Air Force personnel.
  In October 2002, Major Ortiz was selected to serve as a legislative 
fellow and special assistant on my staff. During this 1-year 
assignment, she was responsible for a wide spectrum of issues that 
directly affected the security and national defense of the United 
States. She was also instrumental in carrying out a wide range of 
special projects, and was particularly effective at coordinating and 
resolving a broad range of complex military issues for constituents. 
Major Ortiz also provided expert advice regarding foreign policy 
matters, and provided effective liaison with senior staff of the 
Foreign Relations Committee and both Defense Committees. Upon 
completion of her fellowship, Major Ortiz resumed her status as a 
Reservist and became a permanent member of my staff, serving as the 
deputy national security advisor.
  Throughout her most distinguished career, MAJ Annette Ortiz has 
served the Air Force and our Nation with pride and excellence. Her 
awards include two Air Force commendation medals, Air medal, three 
Aerial Achievement medals, two with Oak Leaf Cluster, the 15th Air 
Force outstanding performance flight evaluation, and numerous other 
campaign and unit distinctions.
  Major Ortiz has been an integral member of my staff and has 
contributed greatly to the best-trained, best-equipped, and best-
prepared Air Force in the history of the world. Annette's superb 
leadership, integrity, and limitless energy have had a profound impact 
on my entire staff and will continue to positively impact the United 
States Air Force and our Nation. On behalf of my colleagues on both 
sides of the aisle, I wish Annette, her husband Carlos, and their 
children Sofia Anna and Carlos Joseph Alejandro the best of luck in 
their bright future.

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