Press Releases

 On Friday, Rep. Mike Johnson (LA-04) joined General Robin Rand, Commander of the Air Force Global Strike Command, in honoring Lieutenant Colonel Steve "Thirsty" Smith for obtaining 10,000 flying hours in a B-52 Bomber. He is a navigator with the 93^rd Bomb Squadron located at Barksdale Air Force Base and is the only serving member to achieve this honor.

Rep. Mike Johnson released the following statement:

“President Trump said it best in his first Joint Address to Congress, ‘…none are greater or braver than those who fight for America in uniform.’ A great example of that sentiment is clearly visible today in the unwavering resolve of Lt. Col. Smith as he achieved 10,000 flying hours in a B-52 bomber.

“It was an honor to pay tribute to his accomplishments as an Airman today. The American people can sleep easily knowing there are men and women like Lt. Col. Smith and members of the 93^rd Bomb Squadron on our front lines. Our country and our state are lucky to have him.”          

Background

Lt. Col. Smith joined the United States Air Force and graduated 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 and only jet assignment for the B-52.

As a navigator with the 93^rd Bomb Squadron belonging to the 917^th Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana, Lt. Col. 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 and flying over 10,000 B-52 hours. Lt. Col. Smith flew 1,819 B-52 sorties with 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.