[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 59 (Thursday, March 30, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E747-E748]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                 DeLAURO HONORS AIR NATIONAL GUARD UNIT

                                 ______


                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 30, 1995
  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the 103d Air 
Control Squadron of the Connecticut Air National Guard in Orange, CT. 
The Orange Unit's tremendous service to our country has earned it the 
1994 Air Force Outstanding Unit Award.
  For more than a half-century, the Orange Air National Guard Unit has 
guaranteed our Nation's security and demonstrated that citizen 
militias--such as the ones that fought for and won freedom in this land 
over 200 years ago--are still effective and necessary. With support 
from a small number of full-time Air Force personnel, the Orange Unit 
fields more than 250 airmen and women. These members of our community 
serve the United States through the Air National Guard while keeping 
their commitments to careers and families. These National guardsmen and 
women deserve our deepest thanks for their selfless service.
  [[Page E748]] Although the National Guard finds its roots in colonial 
militias, today's Guard has adapted to keep up with the technological 
changes that have reshaped our Nation's fighting force. The Orange Unit 
exemplifies this progress. The unit's communications expertise enables 
it to coordinate air missions and track aircraft using radar and even 
satellite communications.
  The Orange Air National Guard Unit distinguished itself among all Air 
Force units to earn this well-deserved honor not only by standing at 
the ready, but by actively participating in numerous missions around 
the globe. Whenever duty called, they were there.
  The Orange Unit has worked hard to stem the tide of illegal drugs 
entering our country by tracking drug flights in the Colombian jungle, 
as well as on the Texas-Mexican border. As the first Air National Guard 
Unit to participate in Operation Deny Flight to prevent air attacks in 
the former Yugoslavia, the Orange Air Guard Unit ably replaced an 
active Air Force Unit and coordinated air operations over this 
dangerous area. The unit's communications support has been vital to 
U.S. forces in Haiti and NATO exercises in Turkey.
  In these and other missions, the Orange Air Guard Unit has set itself 
apart. Congratulations, and thank you for your dedicated service.


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