[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 131 (Monday, September 15, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1400-E1401]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
IN APPRECIATION OF COLONEL PATRICK T. ``SMACK'' McKENZIE
______
HON. HOWARD P. ``BUCK'' McKEON
of california
in the house of representatives
Monday, September 15, 2014
Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and pay tribute to
Colonel Patrick T. ``Smack'' McKenzie, on the occasion of his
retirement from the United States Air Force after 26 years of service.
I have had the pleasure of working with Smack on a number of
occasions during his tenure in the Air Force House Liaison Office. I
greatly appreciate and admire his professionalism, knowledge, and
dedication, which has benefited me, and numerous other Members and
staff.
Colonel McKenzie has given a great deal to this Nation through his
distinguished and selfless service. He began his Air Force career as an
ROTC Cadet and a ``Jayhawk'' at the University of Kansas--an allegiance
he maintains to this day, as evidenced by the Jayhawk lanyard you will
always see around his neck. Upon graduating in May 1988, he was
competitively selected for pilot training at Reese AFB, Texas. He was
the envy of Class 90-06, not only because of his perfectly restored red
[[Page E1401]]
1965 Pontiac GTO affectionately known as ``The Goat'', but also because
as one of the top graduates, he was awarded the only F-16 training slot
for the class. He was assigned to the 70th Fighter Squadron at Moody
AFB, where he was certified as combat-ready and qualified for air-to-
surface, air-to-air, and nuclear missions. He quickly caught the eye of
his leadership, and was handpicked as one of only 15 squadron pilots
qualified to operate the new LANTIRN system (Low Altitude Navigation
and Targeting Infrared for Night). He also caught the eye of his future
wife, Jennifer, and they have been married now for 21 years. Col.
McKenzie's skill as a fighter pilot was quickly recognized during his
first deployment, patrolling the skies over Iraq for Operation Southern
Watch. His leadership ability earned him a Regular commission and
selection for Squadron Officer School, where he was a Distinguished
Graduate.
Capt. McKenzie was then assigned to the 51st Operations Support
Squadron at Osan Air Base in the Republic of Korea. He continued to
impress as a Wing Plans Officer, maintaining critical operational plans
for wartime taskings. He again rose above his peers as a pilot, winning
the 51st Fighter Wing's Low Angle Strafe Top Gun award and selection as
the Chief of Standardization and Evaluation for the 51st Operations
Group--a position reserved for the Group's most skilled and trusted
pilot. In this position, he was responsible for assessments and
maintaining operational standards not only in his F-16 squadron, but
also in the HH-60 rescue flight, and a C-12 flight, a job essential to
deliver wartime capability. He so impressed his leadership, that even
as a Captain he was identified as a ``future squadron commander'' and
was selected for USAF Weapons School, the premier advanced weapons and
tactics school for our Air Force Pilots. While there, he was praised
for his research on F-16 Night Close Air Support and Targeting Aids,
advancing our operational capabilities in this critical capacity.
Captain McKenzie's training was put to immediate use with his
assignment to the 510th Fighter Squadron at Aviano Air Base, Italy. He
flew dozens of combat sorties during Operations Southern Watch,
Decisive Edge, and Deliberate Guard, enforcing no-fly zones over Iraq
and Bosnia-Herzegovina. He was also a Mission Commander for more than
six large force packages in NATO's Operation Allied Force in Kosovo,
for which he garnered praise for his skills, leadership, mission
execution, and most importantly ensuring zero combat losses.
Additionally, Smack was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for
extraordinary achievement, planning the first NATO strike of Operation
Allied Force to cross the Kosovo/Serbian border, defeating surface-to-
air missiles, and executing the first-ever F-16 night attack utilizing
Night Vision Goggles and the LANTIRN system to destroy an ammunition
storage facility. As a Flight Commander, Weapons Officer, and
Instructor Pilot he was recognized by his superiors as an ``exceptional
leader with unlimited potential'', the ``#1 Captain in the Group'', the
``Wing's top flight commander'', and the USAFE Fighter Pilot of the
Year. Smack was sent to Air Command and Staff College, where his
tremendous leadership and team building skills led his peers to
recognize him as the ``Outstanding Team Member'' for his class.
Following school, he became the Assignments Officer for nearly 1,500
Air Force F-16 pilots, single-handedly managing the Air Force's largest
group of pilots and maintaining 100 percent manning level despite
historic shortages just after the terrorist attacks on September 11,
2001.
Lt. Col. McKenzie then moved to Luke AFB for a short period as the
56th Operations Support Squadron Operations Officer before being
entrusted with his first command--the 310th Fighter Squadron ``Top
Hats''--the largest fighter squadron at Luke, responsible for the only
formal Forward Air Controller-Airborne course, which has been a vital
capability in the War on Terror. He was heralded as the ``top warrior
and leader of 618 officers'' and led his unit to the 56th Operations
Group ``Top Squadron'' award. Following this highly successful command,
Lt. Col. McKenzie attended National War College at Fort McNair and
received a Master of Science in National Security Strategy. He then
went to U.S. Joint Forces Command in Norfolk, VA where he provided
readiness analysis on current operations, and was a liaison with the
Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Government Accountability
Office, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff on all readiness related issues.
He provided critical data and assessments for the planning of Operation
Enduring Freedom which were influential in leadership decisions. Col.
McKenzie then Commanded the 455th Expeditionary Operations Group at
Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. There he profoundly impacted the Global
War on Terror, directing air operations and leading over 830 troops to
execute over 24,000 missions, dropping 1.1 million pounds of ordnance,
and delivering 37,000 tons of cargo--the busiest operation in the
CENTCOM area of responsibility. Following this tremendous performance,
Col. McKenzie was challenged with a new role as the SECAF's legislative
liaison to Congress for all USAF air and space weapon systems, ensuring
the Air Force message and priorities were consistently and convincingly
articulated to directly ensure the full authorization of their $120
billion budget. Smack was then sent back to Osan Air Base, Republic of
Korea to command the 51st Fighter Wing ``Mustangs'' where he previously
spent time as a Captain. He was the Joint installation commander for
over 10,200 personnel, executing the Combat Air Force's largest and
most highly-utilized A-10 and F-16 operation in a tense location, just
6 minutes flight time to North Korea. ``A+'', ``inspiring'', and
``superb'' were just a few words used to describe his tenure there.
After his highly successful tour as a Wing Commander, the Air Force
returned Smack to legislative liaison work by assigning him to one of
the most demanding positions within the Air Force, his current job as
the Chief of Air Force House Liaison. Since July 2013, Smack has
advised the Secretary of the Air Force, Chief of Staff of the Air
Force, the Director of Legislative Liaison, and numerous other senior
military and civilian leaders on issues of the greatest concern to the
Air Force and Congress. He has been more than a liaison between the
Pentagon and the Hill, he developed and improved key relationships to
enable the Congress to make better decisions about the future of the
Air Force and our national defense. He is extremely intelligent and
articulate, and has helped shape my thinking and influenced many
Members of Congress. Simply put, we trust him and will miss him!
Col. McKenzie is a command pilot with over 3,200 flying hours and
630 combat hours in the F-16. He is the recipient of numerous major
medals and decorations for his service and accomplishments. The most
significant of these include the Defense Superior Service medal, Legion
of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, and Meritorious
Service medal.
Throughout his distinguished career he has represented our country
and the Air Force with dignity and honor, and this is why I'm so
privileged to pay tribute to this fine Airman. Mr. Speaker, on behalf
of the Congress and the United States of America, I thank Colonel
Patrick McKenzie, his wife Jennifer, and their daughter Ashleigh, for
their service and sacrifices of the past 26 years. I wish them
Godspeed, and continued happiness as they start this new chapter in
their lives.
____________________