[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 197 (Monday, December 19, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7308-S7309]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        TRIBUTE TO LIEUTENANT COLONEL JEFFREY ``SLANDER'' ENTINE

  Mr. COTTON. Mr. President, I would like to take a few moments to 
recognize Lt. Col. Jeffrey ``Slander'' Entine, who has worked in my 
Senate office for the past year as a defense fellow. Lieutenant Colonel 
Entine is a patriot who has served our country nobly and made it a 
safer and better place. It has truly been a pleasure to have him in my 
office.
  Lieutenant Colonel Entine graduated from Florida State University in 
2006. After graduation, he commissioned as a second lieutenant and set 
off for pilot training in Mississippi. Lieutenant Colonel Entine stood 
out early during pilot training. Not only was he the distinguished 
graduate of his class, but he was also the best rated student pilot 
with the highest academic grade in his class.
  Later, Lieutenant Colonel Entine deployed for 6 months to Kandahar 
Air Base, Afghanistan, flying F-16s. He flew 63 combat missions, earned 
three Air Medals, and was named the outstanding performer of the 480th 
Expeditionary Fighter Squadron's deployment.
  He then went through the crucible of Weapons School, which forges 
promising airmen into leaders and tactical experts. Again, he 
distinguished himself in this challenging environment. When Lieutenant 
Colonel Entine graduated from Weapons School in December 2016, he 
became the chief of weapons and tactics in the 55th Fighter Squadron at 
Shaw Air Force Base. Shortly after arriving, he overhauled the base's 
training program. His boss said the new plan was ``the best he's ever 
seen'' and rated him first out of the 27 company-grade officers in the 
squadron.
  In October 2017, Lieutenant Colonel Entine shipped off to Afghanistan 
again--this time to Bagram Airfield, not far from Kabul. He deployed as 
the wing weapons officer, where he advised the operations group 
commander and wing commander on tactics. He also worked with special 
operations forces conducting raids across the country. On one such raid 
in April 2018, Lieutenant Colonel Entine coordinated with two 
formations of F-16s, two AC-130s, three MQ-9 drones, and a ground 
controller who was on his very first combat mission during a day-long 
firefight with ISIS-K fighters. Lieutenant Colonel Entine employed 
weapons six times during the battle, three times within danger-close 
distances, and twice dropped bombs just 30 meters from friendly troops. 
Thanks to his heroic efforts, no Americans died, three were safely 
evacuated, and scores of enemy fighters were killed. And that was just 
one combat sortie out of the more than

[[Page S7309]]

70 he flew during a 180-plus-day deployment. Lieutenant Colonel Entine 
received the Air Medal with C device, a medal just beneath the 
Distinguished Flying Cross, for his courageous exploits that day. The 
Air Force Association also awarded him the Lieutenant General Clare 
Chennault award in 2018 as a ``most outstanding aerial tactician.''
  After 10 years on the frontlines, Lieutenant Colonel Entine moved to 
Florida, where he served in an operational test squadron. While there, 
he invented a method to use air-to-ground laser- guided rockets to 
shoot down cruise missiles. In December 2019, Lieutenant Colonel Entine 
proved the concept by shooting down a target drone over the Gulf of 
Mexico using an air-to-ground rocket. Lieutenant Colonel Entine and his 
team later recognized that the Air Force and Navy's premier air-to-air 
missile, the AMRAAM, could reach ranges much longer than advertised, 
prompting the Air Force to launch its longest-ever air-to-air missile 
test in May of 2021.
  Unsurprisingly, given his tireless tinkering and work ethic, 
Lieutenant Colonel Entine's performance reports remained stellar. He 
left Eglin as top-rated major out of 158 and headed to Washington, DC, 
to represent the Air Force in Congress as a defense fellow.
  While serving in my office, Lieutenant Colonel Entine solidified his 
position as a key member of my team. He quickly became a trusted 
adviser, especially concerning my duties as the AirLand Subcommittee 
Ranking Member on the Armed Services Committee. A true visionary, 
Lieutenant Colonel Entine led my initiative on a rated officer 
retention amendment which was incorporated into the FY23 NDAA. His 
fellow Air Force pilots owe Lieutenant Colonel Entine a debt of 
gratitude for his tireless work to provide his service with four 
additional retention related authorizations as part of this initiative. 
In total, Lieutenant Colonel Entine drafted nearly 70 pieces of 
legislation demonstrating an incredible ability to unify staff over 
bipartisan policy issues. Lieutenant Colonel Entine undoubtedly proved 
his worth as a member of my team, helping notch countless legislative 
victories.
  Beyond legislation, Lieutenant Colonel Entine demonstrated an 
exceptional talent for hearing and nomination preparation and staff 
work. His work in this arena was distinct from any fellow we have had 
previously and, I suspect, that we will have ever again. This type of 
preparation is one of the most crucial functions of my staff, and 
Lieutenant Colonel Entine distinguished himself as an invaluable member 
of the team. Our office greatly benefited from his talents and keen 
insights. He attended over 58 Senate Armed Services Committee Hearings 
and staffed over 60 engagements.
  Furthermore, Lieutenant Colonel Entine represented me on multiple 
staff delegations, conducting much needed oversight and research on my 
behalf. On his trip to Honolulu, HI, to visit INDOPACOM, Lieutenant 
Colonel Entine was a key interlocutor, ensuring that my personal staff 
was well prepared to engage in technical discussions regarding the 
needs of the Air Force. His insights have helped shape my policy 
objectives for years to come. Lieutenant Colonel Entine also 
participated in a Naval Embark, a critical component of our oversight 
agenda related to my duties on the Seapower Subcommittee of the Armed 
Services Committee. I also remain grateful for the sacrifices of 
Lieutenant Colonel Entine's family, as he spent time away from home, 
many hours, and late nights to ensure this crucial work was completed. 
Lieutenant Colonel Entine has had a remarkable career and he has a 
promising future ahead. He is exactly the kind of man and servicemember 
that our military needs in leadership. For these reasons and more, I 
was honored to have Lieutenant Colonel Entine in my office this year. 
Lieutenant Colonel Entine Slander thank you for your service to 
Arkansas and to the United States of America.

                          ____________________