[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 117 (Tuesday, September 8, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S9995]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

 Mr. GRAMS. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
men and women who serve in the United States Air Force as we celebrate 
the 51st anniversary of its founding.
  In 1947, Congress passed the National Security Act, creating the 
United States Air Force. Although military aviation units were around 
as early as 1907, these units were a division of the Army and the Navy. 
It was not until forty years later that the Air Force was established 
as a separate military service. Ironically, President Harry Truman 
signed the legislation creating the United States Air Force while 
aboard the presidential aircraft, which later became known as Air Force 
One. W. Stuart Symington became the first Secretary of the Air Force 
and General Carl A. Spaatz became the first Chief of Staff of the Air 
Force.
  The inherent strengths of air power--speed, global range, stealth, 
flexibility and precision--are crucial to the achievement of our 
military goals in the world today. Through innovation, the Air Force is 
evolving into an air and space force that will be able to meet the 
challenges of the next century. Working with the other Armed Forces, 
the Air Force provides the citizens of the United States with the 
security we enjoy as it watches over America's airspace. On the same 
day the Air Force was established, the Air National Guard was also 
born, and seven months later, on April 14, 1948, the Air Force Reserve 
was created. Today, these two are an integral part of the total Air 
Force.
  Minnesota is home to two Air National Guard units, the 148th Fighter 
Wing in Duluth and the 133rd Airlift Wing in the Twin Cities. The 133rd 
Airlift Wing was the first federally recognized Air National Guard 
flying unit. A division of the 133rd unit, the Security Forces 
Squadron, was awarded the Air National Guard's Outstanding Security 
Force Unit for 1994.
  In addition, Minnesota has one Air Force Reserve unit, the 934th 
Airlift Wing in St. Paul. The Airlift Wing provides support for the 
transporting of passengers and cargo around the world. In 1992, the 
brave men and women of the 934th Airlift Wing provided airlift of 
passengers and cargo as part of a humanitarian relief effort in Bosnia-
Herzegovina.
  Mr. President, since its birth in 1947, the Air Force has shown the 
utmost dedication and service to this country, while protecting our 
national interests. I truly appreciate its commitment to defending this 
nation and am honored today to pay tribute to the men and women of the 
Air Force.

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