[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 93 (Thursday, June 8, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1193]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                          THE ENDING OF AN ERA

                                 ______


                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, June 7, 1995
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, the 351st Missile Wing, Whiteman AFB, MO, 
under the command of Col. G.D. Blackmore, recently completed 
deactivation of its 150 Minuteman II Intercontinental Ballistic 
Missiles under the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty and has today 
inactivated. This unit's accolades remain unparalleled in the annals of 
ICBM history. The only six-time winner of the ICBM missile competition, 
only simultaneous holder of the ICBM community's tripe crown of awards, 
and six Air Force outstanding unit awards are but a small part of the 
recognition of this wing's total contribution to our country's success 
in winning the cold war.
  The men and women of the 351st have continuously maintained a silent 
vigil in the rural countryside of west-central Missouri since 1963. 
Twenty-four hours a day, every day for 32 years, the 351st kept the 
deterrent posture that safeguarded our great Nation so very well. The 
351st Missile Wing carried out this immense responsibility in 
tremendous style, and we, the citizens of this country, owe them a debt 
of thanks which cannot be repaid.
  The wing continued its pursuit of excellence even while deactivating. 
Everything this unit did was done using quality approaches, and that 
effort paid great dividends. From first place international public 
sector in my great State's Quality Award Program, to winning the 
Secretary of the Air Force Team Quality Award, to first place in Air 
Force Space Command's Unit Quality Award, the men and women of the 
351st have become an example to the entire Air Force in trust, 
teamwork, and continuous improvement.
  Safety was the wing's No. 1 goal while deactivating and was the 
underlying philosophy of the unit. Nothing is more challenging than 
deactivation of a weapon system covering a 10,000-square-mile area in 
west-central Missouri, in all kinds of weather and conditions.
  Many of the tasks the wing performed during deactivation have never 
been done before at an operational unit. The 351st saved the Air Force 
over $163 million by returning items to the supply system. All of the 
arduous maintenance, security, and operations efforts were performed 
without incident, and this fact illustrates that the wing routinely 
turned the intricate into the commonplace. Safety was more than a 
phrase in the wing, it was a way of life--the safe conduct of all wing 
activities.
  The outstanding efforts of this wing have clearly established them as 
the benchmark for others to emulate. After more than 32 years of 
faithful and outstanding service to the Nation, the wing cased its flag 
for the final time today. The legacy of the Whiteman Warchiefs has been 
one of continuous excellence in every area of their mission. The 351st 
Missile Wing takes its place today as one of the finest units ever to 
serve in the Armed Forces of the United States of America.


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