[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 3467]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING LIEUTENANT COLONEL STEVE ``THIRSTY'' SMITH FOR REACHING 
                  10,000 FLYING HOURS IN A B-52 BOMBER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE JOHNSON

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 6, 2017

  Mr. JOHNSON of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I 
rise today to commend the achievements of Lieutenant Colonel Steve 
``Thirsty'' Smith for making United States Air Force history on March 
3, 2017 by being the only currently serving member of the United States 
Air Force to reach 10,000 flying hours in a B-52 heavy bomber, 
officially labeled a B-52 Stratofortress, and contributing to the 
backbone of the manned strategic bomber force for the United States.
  Lt. Colonel Smith joined the United States Air Force after graduating 
from the ROTC program at the University of Mississippi. He continued on 
to graduate navigation school at Mather Air Force Base in 1985 where he 
earned his wings and received his first assignment for the B-52.
  As a navigator with the 93rd Bomb Squadron belonging to the 917th 
Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana, Lt. Colonel Smith has 
distinguished himself as one of our nation's most experienced 
navigators. He spent seven years on active duty before becoming a 
reservist for over 20 years. He has flown 10,000 B-52 hours and 1,819 
B-52 sorties including 496 combat hours and 42 combat sorties over the 
span of four different wars; Operations Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, 
Iraqi Freedom and Inherent Resolve. He was awarded the Air Medal in 
1991 and the Aerial Achievement Medal in 2002 and 2004.
  His expertise with the B-52 played an instrumental role in 
modernizing the aircraft with a targeting pod that provides greater 
accuracy leading to more successful missions. Additionally, he has been 
an inspiration to many young navigators as a flight instructor, 
teaching over 180 young weapons systems officers at Barksdale Air Force 
Base in the same aircraft.
  Dating back to World War I, the 93rd Bomb Squadron has repeatedly 
distinguished itself in its contributions to the security of the United 
States during deployments around the world. This distinction has 
continued today with global demonstrations of strategic attack 
capabilities.
  Lt. Colonel Smith is greatly regarded throughout the Air Force and 
Louisiana communities and is known as a humble man who has selflessly 
given back to the country he loves so dearly. He has earned widespread 
respect for his continued commitment to serve in defense of our great 
nation.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, it is my 
pleasure to join a grateful community in saluting his outstanding 
achievements. My wife Kelly and I thank Lt. Colonel Smith for his 
dedicated services and wish him all the best for continued success in 
what is an already remarkable career.

                          ____________________