[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 128 (Tuesday, September 9, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5427-S5428]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                TRIBUTE TO COLONEL STEPHANIE A. HOLCOMBE

 Mr. INHOFE. Madam President, I wish to recognize Oklahoma 
resident Col. Stephanie A. Holcombe of the Joint Improvised Explosive 
Device Defeat Organization, or JIEDDO, who will retire from the U.S. 
Air Force on January 1, 2015, after 25 years of distinguished service. 
Col. Holcombe significantly impacted the global fight against 
improvised explosive devices during her final tour of duty as JIEDDO's 
chief of public affairs. She directly contributed to creating a global 
awareness about the IED threat; and helped inform and educate people 
about JIEDDO's work to reduce the effectiveness of IEDs and eliminate 
the enemy networks that seek to use these devices to harm our troops.
  Col. Holcombe is a distinguished graduate of Oklahoma State 
University's Reserve Officers' Training Corps in Stillwater, OK, class 
of 1989, with a degree in photo journalism. She also achieved two 
master's degrees from the University of Florida and the National War 
College.
  During her 25-year long career as a public affairs officer, she held 
assignments with Air Combat Command, Air Mobility Command, Air Force 
Material Command, Air Force Special Operations Command and on the 
Headquarters Air Staff. In 2004, she deployed to Baghdad where she 
worked with the U.S. Embassy and conducted operations for Multi-
National Forces--Iraq.
  Col. Holcombe earned numerous awards and decorations including the

[[Page S5428]]

Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the 
Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal and 
the Air Force Achievement Medal, among others. She also received Air 
Force wide accolades for her excellence in journalism, twice earning 
the Thomas Jefferson Award.
  I am proud to share in the celebration of Col. Stephanie A. 
Holcombe's military career. I wish her all the best in her 
retirement.

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