[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 201 (Tuesday, December 2, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S8444]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          TRIBUTE TO LIEUTENANT COLONEL SHANNON ``SOJU'' BEERS

  Mr. COTTON. Mr. President, I would like to recognize Lt. Col. Shannon 
Beers, known as ``Soju,'' for his exceptional work as a defense fellow 
in my Senate office for the past year. For more than a decade, 
Lieutenant Colonel Beers has served his country with honor and 
distinction, both out in the field and most recently in our Nation's 
Capitol.
  In 2008, Lieutenant Colonel Beers commissioned into the U.S. Air 
Force as a distinguished graduate of the ROTC program at North Carolina 
State University, where he received his Bachelor of Science in 
electrical and computer engineering. He went on to complete the Euro-
NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training in Texas before completing F-16 fighter 
aircraft training in 2011. Since that time, Lieutenant Colonel Beers 
has flown F-16s in the United States, Korea, Japan, Germany, Singapore, 
and Jordan.
  From August 2011 to February 2013, Lieutenant Colonel Beers served as 
the F-16 flight lead and electronic combat pilot, 36th Fighter 
Squadron, at Osan Air Base in South Korea. He then went to Shaw Air 
Force Base in South Carolina, where he served as an F-16 flight lead 
and assistant chief of scheduling at the 79th Fighter Squadron, as well 
as an F-16 instructor pilot and wing electronic combat pilot at the 
20th Operational Support Squadron. Lieutenant Colonel Beers was then 
stationed in South Korea from October 2015 to July 2016 as the 
scheduling flight commander of the 36th Fighter Squadron.
  After graduating from the highly selective U.S. Air Force Weapons 
School, he returned to Osan Air Base in 2017 as the lead tactician of 
the 36th Fighter Squadron. While serving in South Korea, during a 
period of heightened tensions due to North Korea's multiple missile 
tests, he played a key role in the 36th Fighter Squadron's preparations 
for possible contingencies on the peninsula.
  Next, Lieutenant Colonel Beers spent 2 years at Eglin Air Force Base 
in Florida, where he led the tactical execution of the U.S. military's 
only evaluation program for air-to-ground weapon systems. While there, 
Lieutenant Colonel Beers was responsible for validating weapons 
requirements and testing weapon systems in possible combat scenarios. 
His work still impacts yearly technical publications and 
recommendations to the defense industry.
  In 2020, after 12 years of Active-Duty service, Lieutenant Colonel 
Beers joined the D.C. Air National Guard full-time at Joint Base 
Andrews-Naval Air Facility Washington. He flew F-16 alert missions in 
defense of the National Capitol Region, playing an integral role in our 
Nation's defense. In 2022, Lieutenant Colonel Beers transitioned to the 
C-40C and has flown numerous executive airlift missions supporting U.S. 
diplomacy around the world.
  Adding to this field experience, Lieutenant Colonel Beers also has an 
exemplary education record. Only the best Air Force pilots are selected 
to attend the USAF Weapons School, and Lieutenant Colonel Beers's 
graduation from the school further honed his tactical acumen and 
superior leadership skills. He also received a Masters of Science in 
aeronautical science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He also 
graduated from the Air Command and Staff College in 2023.
  Given this impressive background, it is no surprise that Lieutenant 
Colonel Beers came highly recommended to my office. His defense 
expertise, vast experience, and desire to learn solidified his position 
as an invaluable member of my national security team. Aside from his 
tactical acumen, Lieutenant Colonel Beers is an honest, helpful, and 
generous person who is always willing to pitch in on any task. He 
quickly became a trusted adviser on all Air Force-related matters, 
especially concerning my duties on the Airland Subcommittee of the 
Senate Armed Services Committee.
  During his year in the Senate, Lieutenant Colonel Beers staffed 
numerous high-level engagements and hearings, for which he provided 
top-quality preparation materials. He drafted various pieces of 
legislation for this year's National Defense Authorization Act, which 
will positively impact the military. He has also been instrumental in 
advocating for and ensuring the future of foreign fighter jet training 
at Ebbing Air National Guard Base, a top priority for Arkansas.
  One of Lieutenant Colonel Beers's most significant contributions to 
both my office and the nation was his excellent work on the COUNTER 
Act. This crucial and timely legislation gives the military the 
necessary authority it currently lacks to protect our bases in the 
homeland from drone incursions. Lieutenant Colonel Beers's wide-ranging 
knowledge, deep understanding of technical details, and limitless 
perseverance through challenges were instrumental to the success of 
this effort.
  Lieutenant Colonel Beers also played a major role in securing support 
for the Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite. This package 
provides F-16s with essential electronic warfare capabilities, allowing 
for more effective operations against the latest generation of 
aircraft. Lieutenant Colonel Beers's diligent work and persistent 
efforts--which were reflected in both the One Big Beautiful Bill passed 
earlier this year and in the National Defense Authorization Act--
contributed to maintaining America's air superiority.
  Finally, I cannot honor Lieutenant Colonel Beers without also 
thanking members of his family, specifically his wife Jenn, an Active-
Duty Air Force Officer, and his father, a veteran of the U.S. Army. 
Their support, encouragement, and influence have helped to make Soju an 
exceptional servicemember, staffer, and leader.
  Lieutenant Colonel Beers has had an impressive career, spanning the 
Air Force, the Air National Guard, and now, the legislative branch. It 
has been an honor to have him as part of our team for the past year.
  Soju, thank you for your service to the United States and the State 
of Arkansas. May God continue to bless you and your family in all of 
your future endeavors.

                          ____________________