[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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