[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 140 (Thursday, October 9, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1983]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     IN PRAISE OF SGT. KEITH NOWLIN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 9, 1997

  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, one of my constituents, Army Sgt. 1st 
Class Keith H. Nowlin, son of William H. and Mary E. Nowlin of Ivanhoe, 
TX, was recently involved in specialized military training that is 
deserving of our recognition.
  Sergeant Nowlin was part of an elite group of soldiers from Fort 
Hood, TX, who traveled to the Army's National Training Center in Fort 
Irwin, CA, to test the world's most advanced military technology that 
could transform the battlefield of the 21st century. He is a member of 
the 4th Infantry Division's 1st Brigade, a unit charged with learning 
and testing new software, computers and weapon systems that could be 
used in refitting conventional tanks, artillery equipment, air defense 
weapon systems, infantry fighting vehicles, and attack helicopters.
  The unit traveled to California's Mojave Desert to do battle with a 
highly trained opposition unit called the OPFOR, which is made up of 
some of the Army's best soldiers trained in former Soviet Union tactics 
and using Soviet-style equipment. Nowlin and his unit used their new 
technology in a series of mock battles to see how well they performed 
against the OPFOR. Nowlin was a platoon sergeant in this high-tech 
battle. His training included two years of classes and field testing of 
over 70 different pieces of high tech equipment and software packages. 
The information gathered from this exercise is being processed to help 
determine what systems work and what do not.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud that my congressional district is represented 
in this type of training, which is so important to our strategic 
defense planning. The future security of our great Nation will depend 
on the training and expertise of our enlisted men and women as well as 
advanced technologies such as those being tested in the deserts of 
California. I commend Sergeant Nowlin's efforts and the efforts of all 
those in our military who are dedicating their lives and their careers 
to the defense of our Nation. As we adjourn today, I ask my colleagues 
to join me in expressing to them our gratitude and our support, and to 
let Sergeant Nowlin know that we are very proud of his accomplishments 
of the past--and of his service today and in the future.

                          ____________________