[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 24 (Friday, February 28, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1801-S1802]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      STAND DOWN OF A-6E INTRUDER

 Mr. GORTON. Mr. President, I am proud today to honor the 
retirement of the Navy's A-6E Intruder. Attack Squadron 196 at Whidbey 
Naval Air Station in my home State and Attack Squadron 75 in Virginia 
Beach will stand down the final two Intruder squadrons in simultaneous 
ceremonies today.
  As the backbone of carrier attack aviation for the past 36 years, the 
A-6E Intruder stood ready to face the enemy in any weather, day or 
night. The A-6 put teeth in the term ``carrier forward presence.'' It 
saw combat in Vietnam, Lebanon, Libya, in the waters of the Arabian 
Gulf and over the shores of Kuwait and Iraq. It delivered iron bombs, 
laser guided bombs, and every air-to-ground missile available in the 
Navy inventory for the past three decades. The A-6E Intruder was the 
hardest working plane on the flight deck.
  The pilots and bombardier/navigators who flew the Intruder had great 
affection and respect for the aircraft and its ability to withstand 
heavy enemy fire. They too should be honored for their courage and 
dedication to this great nation. They will truly miss the A-6.

[[Page S1802]]

  We also honor the thousands of Intruder maintainers, both past and 
present, who kept the A-6E flying day and night, at sea and ashore. The 
excellent record of the Intruder is a testament to the hard work of 
these men and women.
  Finally, let us remember the Intruder crews who never returned. In 
service to our Nation, they paid the ultimate price flying this machine 
that they loved. We must never forget them. From this day on, the 
United States Navy must continue to carry on the spirit of Intruder 
attack.
  On a personal basis, my son-in-law, Joe Nortz, was an A-6 bombardier/
navigator during most of his 20-year Navy career. He is attending the 
stand down ceremony at NAS Whidbey as a great admirer of a great 
aircraft.

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