[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 49 (Wednesday, April 17, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E560-E561]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
321ST MISSILE GROUP, GRAND FORKS AFB, ND
______
HON. ROBERT K. DORNAN
of california
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, April 17, 1996
Mr. DORNAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the dedicated
young men and women of the U.S. Air Force 321st Missile Group at Grand
Forks, ND. The 321st, commanded by Col. Robert P. Summers, is currently
undergoing a very stressful but highly successful realignment of
Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles [ICBM's] while at the
same time maintaining an active nuclear deterrent force. Despite the
apparent end to the cold war, recent tensions with mainland China and
elsewhere in the world clearly demonstrate the need to maintain a
reliable and effective ground-based nuclear deterrent force. Colonel
Summers and everyone in his command are to be commended for their
personal sacrifice, professionalism, and dedication towards ensuring we
have the best nuclear deterrent in the world both today and tomorrow. I
am including for my colleagues a copy of the mission statement, values,
and strategic goals for the 321st Missile Group, as well as a unit
history. Again, to Colonel Summers and everyone in the 321st--job well
done. And may none of us ever forget the 321st motto: ``Global Power
for Peace.''
321st Missile Group History
Serving in defense of its country, the 321st Missile Group
has undergone a comprehensive hardware metamorphosis over the
past 40 years. The development of the 321st Missile Group
began June 26, 1942, as the 321st Bombardment Group (Medium);
assigned under Twelfth Air Force. The group flew B-25
Mitchell bombers in the Mediterranean theater from March 7,
1943, to September 12, 1945. For their flying accomplishments
the group was awarded two Distinguished Unit Citations. The
group was later deactivated September 12, 1945, at
Pomigliano, Italy, and returned to the United States. The
321st reactivated as an Air Force Reserve unit under 15th Air
Force and designated the 321st Bombardment Group (Light) on
March 31, 1946. It was again inactivated on June 27, 1949.
The 321st reactivated at Pinecastle AFB, Fla., under Second
Air Force as the 321st Bombardment Wing (Medium) Dec. 15,
1953. The wing flew the B-47 strategic bomber and won the
Fairchild Trophy in the 1957 Strategic Air Command annual
bombing, navigation and reconnaissance competition. During
this period, the wing transferred from Second Air Force to
the 6th Air Division under Eighth Air Force Jan. 1, 1959.
With the phase-out of the B-47, the unit deactivated again
Oct. 25, 1961.
On Nov. 1, 1964, the Air Force again activated the 321st,
this time as the 321st Strategic Missile Wing. The Missile
Wing found a home at Grand Forks Air Force Base and assigned
to the 4th Strategic Aerospace Division under Second Air
Force. In 1965, the 446th, 447th, and 448th Strategic Missile
Squadrons were activated. Together, they worked toward making
the 321st the first operational Minuteman II Intercontinental
Ballistic Missile Wing in Strategic Air Command on Dec. 7,
1966. The 321st became the first unit to deploy the LGM-30F
Minuteman II Intercontinental Ballistic Missile.
In 1969, the wing won the Blanchard Trophy for excellence
during the annual SAC missile combat competition, becoming
the only wing in the Air Force to win top awards for both
bombardment and missile excellence. The 321st Strategic
Missile Wing won the Blanchard Trophy again in 1969, 1974,
and 1987.
From 1970 until 1988, the wing fell under Fifteenth Air
Force's 57th Air Division, and later the 4th Air Division.
Between 1971 and 1973, the wing changed weapons systems
turning over Minuteman II's for Minuteman III's.
After 18 years with Fifteenth Air Force, the 321st
Strategic Missile Wing was reassigned to the Eighth Air Force
when the 42nd Air Division came to Grand Forks Air Force Base
June 16, 1988. Under the Eighth Air Force, the 321st
Organizational Missile Maintenance Squadron received the Air
Force Outstanding Unit Award from 1988 through 1990.
Strategic Air Command also selected the 448th Strategic
Missile Squadron as the ICBM Operational Squadron of the Year
for 1990.
On Sept. 1, 1991 during a reorganization, the 321st was
redesignated the 321st Missile Wing and assigned under the
newly reactivated Twentieth Air Force with the inactivation
of the 42nd Air Division. Then on June 1, 1992, the 321st
Missile Wing became assigned to the newly formed Air Combat
Command. While in the Air Combat Command, the 321st continued
a tradition of excellence when in 1992 Air Combat Command
named the 447th, ICBM Missile Squadron of the Year.
On May 1, 1993, Detachment 3, 37th Air Rescue Squadron was
redesignated as the 79th Rescue Flight. The change realigned
the bases HH-1H Huey helicopters, pilots, and support
personnel under direct control of the 321st Operations Group
commander.
Further changes in the Air Force resulted with the 321st
Missile Wing being realigned from Air Combat Command to Air
Force Space Command on July 1, 1993. The missile wing's move
transferred the daily management of the Air Force's land-
based intercontinental ballistic missiles to a command
familiar with missile and rocket technology.
On Nov. 1, 1993, the 321st Organizational Missile
Maintenance Squadron earned the Air Force Space Command
Maintenance Effectiveness Award, and later went on to win the
award at the Air Force level.
[[Page E561]]
The 321st Missile Wing was redesignated the 321st Missile
Group on July 1, 1994, due to a command-level reorganization.
On 12 August 1994, Security Police from the 321st Missile
Group placed third out of eleven teams during the 1994
Peacekeeper Security Police Competition. In November, the
321st underwent its first 20th Air Force Combat Capability
Assessment under the revised inspection system. The 321st did
well with particularly high marks by the Codes and
Pneudraulics flights, Operations Support Squadron Security
Police, and with all Missile Combat Crews passing
evaluations.
On April 4, 1995, the 321st Missile Group welcomed a group
of Russian inspectors as one of the first Strategic Arms
Reduction Treaty (START) inspection took place. The
inspection was a multilateral arms control treaty between the
United States and successor states to the former Soviet
Union. The inspection marked a significant day in the history
of Grand Forks Air Force Base.
On July 7, 1995, the 321st Missile Group dedicated the
headquarters building in honor of the first commander of the
321st, Brigadier General Robert D. Knapp. The dedication was
in conjunction with a 321st Association Reunion, and the
annual ``Friends and Neighbors Day.'' Twentieth Air Force
Commander Major General Robert Parker presided over the 321st
Association Banquet as 321st veterans and retirees were
honored.
In 1995, the 321st Missile Group was directed to realign
its Minuteman III force, and now has a dual mission. Its
mission now is to both operate, maintain and secure combat-
ready ICBM forces for the National Command Authority; while
at the same time, safely and securely transfer its alert
responsibilities to the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom AFB,
Montana. The mission realignment involves the transfer of 120
missiles to Malmstrom, and 30 missiles to the Ogden Air
Logistics Center, Utah. This process started in October 1995
and is expected to take three years to complete.
our mission
Professional Warriors Operating, Maintaining, And Securing
Combat Ready ICBM Forces For the National Command Authority.
our values
Integrity--Commit to truth, morality, and honesty in all
that you do.
Courage--Physical, moral, and mental bravery to make the
right decision.
Competence--Strive to be an expert.
Tenacity--Stubborn persistence to mission.
Service--Dedicated to a higher purpose and to customer
satisfaction.
Patriotism--Sacrifice for greater good and do what is best
for our most important customer.
Teamwork--Respect and commitment to each other, above self
in mission.
Loyalty--Faithful allegiance to yourself, to each other and
the mission.
Pride--Take delight in both your actions and the actions of
your teammates.
Self-Discipline--Display and require the correct pattern of
behavior at all times.
Openness--Willingness to listen and consider the views of
others.
our key result areas
KRA 1--reliable weapon system.
KRA 2--mission ready people.
KRA 3--safe practices.
KRA 4--secure weapons system.
our strategic goals
Maximize our ICBM combat capability.
Enhance safety and nuclear surety.
Embrace our environmental responsibility.
Practice a healthy lifestyle.
Nurture professional development.
Foster a quality improvement culture.
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