[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 44 (Tuesday, April 21, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E603-E604]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           IN HONOR OF 50TH BIRTHDAY OF THE AIR FORCE RESERVE

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                          HON. DAVID E. BONIOR

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 21, 1998

  Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I have the honor to pay tribute to the Air 
Force Reserve as they observe their 50th Birthday on April 14, 1998. 
The 927th Air Refueling Wing at Selfridge Air National Guard Base will 
celebrate the event with a dinner and dance on April 21, 1998.
  After World War II ended, the Army Air Forces began the task of post-
war reorganizing. With the passage of the National Security Act in 
1948, the Air Force became an independent branch of the military. The 
same year, the leaders of the Air Force began an overhaul of the Air 
Force Reserve. Although the Reserves had been in place since 1916, a 
formal organization did not exist. It was not until April 27, 1948 that 
the U.S. Air Force Reserve was officially established.
  The 927th Air Refueling Wing at Selfridge Air National Guard Base is 
just one of the many units created from the reorganization of the Air 
Force Reserve. For the past 35 years, the unit participated in missions 
such as ferrying aircraft, equipment, and supplies to Vietnam, flying 
in supplies to flood victims in New York and Pennsylvania in 1973, and 
has provided refueling to fighters in Bosnia. The personnel of the 
927th continually train both overseas and in the United States so they 
will be fully prepared when they are called upon to perform a mission. 
The 927th Air Refueling Wing deserves to be commended for their 
dedication and commitment to duty.
  For five decades, the Air Force Reserve has faithfully defended the 
citizens of our great nation. I would like to join the 927th Air Force 
Refueling Wing in celebrating the 50th birthday of the Air Force 
Reserve.

[[Page E604]]



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