[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17416]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO RETIRING COLONEL ERIC N. SINGLE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 29, 2010

  Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, it has come to my attention that Colonel 
Eric N. Single is retiring from the United States Air Force after 29 
years of distinguished service.
  Colonel Single received his commission in 1981 through the Air Force 
Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Auburn University, AL. He 
graduated from pilot training at Williams Air Force Base, AZ in 1983, 
and has extensive experience in the B-52G, B-52H and B2 bombers as an 
aircraft commander, instructor and evaluator. In 1991, Colonel Single 
deployed in support of Operation Desert Storm, flying 26 combat sorties 
in the B-52 over Iraq and Kuwait. He graduated from the U. S. Air Force 
Weapons School in 1992 and was selected as initial cadre for the B-2 
program.
  In 1998 Colonel Single took command of the 393d Bomb Squadron at 
Whiteman Air Force Base, MO, where he led the B-2 through its combat 
debut in the skies over Kosovo. Colonel Single not only led his 
Squadron to success in Operation Allied Force, he acted as flight lead 
and Mission Commander on the very first B-2 combat mission earning him 
a Distinguished Flying Cross and a place in aviation history. His 
courageous flight proved once and for all the true value of stealth and 
long range strike.
  After his historic flight Colonel Single served on the Joint Staff in 
the Force Integration Branch. He went on to command the 5th Operations 
Group at Minot Air Force Base, ND and the 40th Air Expeditionary 
Operations Group on Diego Garcia, BIOT. Prior to his current assignment 
in Air Force Global Power Acquisition, Col Single served as the Vice 
Commander, 509th Bomb Wing, Whiteman Air force Base, MO.
  Colonel Single is a Command Pilot with over 5200 hours. He has been 
awarded the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster; Distinguished Flying 
Cross with oak leaf cluster; Defense Meritorious Service Medal; 
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters; Air Medal with 
three oak leaf clusters; Aerial Achievement Medal; Air Force 
Commendation Medal; Air Force Achievement Medal; Combat Readiness Medal 
with four oak leaf clusters; National Defense Service Medal with bronze 
star; Southwest Asia Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service 
Medal; and Kuwait Liberation Medal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
  Madam Speaker, I know the Members of the House will join me in paying 
tribute to Colonel Eric N. Single for his exceptional commitment to the 
United States Air Force and the United States of America.

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