[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12449]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           IN HONOR OF THE RETIREMENT OF COLONEL JAMES GEURTS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ADAM SMITH

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 13, 2009

  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
service of Colonel James Geurts, United States Air Force, on the 
occasion of his retirement after twenty-two years of dedicated service 
to this Nation.
  A distinguished graduate of the Lehigh University and the Air Force's 
Institute of Technology, Colonel Geurts was commissioned as an officer 
in the Air Force in 1987. He has served as a career acquisition program 
manager with engineering and program management experience in numerous 
weapon systems including Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles, 
surveillance platforms, tactical fighter aircraft, stealth cruise 
missiles, and special operations manned and unmanned aircraft.
  As the Program Executive Officer for Fixed Wing at United States 
Special Operations Command, Colonel Geurts spearheaded the largest 
recapitalization and growth of Special Operations Forces Air Component 
fleet in its 22 year history. More than anyone else, Colonel Geurts 
helped shape the future of Special Operations aviation.
  Colonel Geurts was instrumental in planning and executing numerous 
urgent deployment acquisition programs in support of Operations 
Enduring Freedom and Iraqi freedom. He fielded multiple aircraft, which 
led the Secretary of Defense to proclaim his efforts as ``the single 
greatest expansion of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance 
capability flowing to the United States troops.''
  Colonel Geurts' distinguished career is marked by numerous awards and 
decorations that include the 2008 Packard Award, the Global War on 
Terrorism Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration Transition Team of 
the Year, and the William Perry Award. In addition, he has been awarded 
the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (1 oak leaf 
cluster), Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, 
Joint Service Achievement Medal (1 oak leaf cluster), and the Air Force 
Achievement Medal (1 oak leaf cluster).
  On behalf of Congress and the United States of America, I express our 
appreciation of Colonel Geurts for his tireless service and support of 
the warfighter. His professionalism, expertise, and efforts showcase 
his patriotism, and his dedication to the Special Operators in the 
field: Colonel James Geurts is truly a great American.
  I congratulate Colonel Geurts on completing an exceptional military 
career and am humbled by his dedicated service to our Nation. I wish 
Colonel Geurts, his wife Kelly, and their sons Jimmy and Brandon many 
blessings and much success as he begins his future endeavors and 
embarks on new adventures.

                          ____________________