[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 118 (Wednesday, September 9, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H7434]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   THE AIR FORCE'S VERY BEST HONORED

  (Mr. GIBBONS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, last Friday, the United States Air Force 
lost 12 brave airmen who specialized in combat search and rescue and 
special operations missions. These airmen were representatives of the 
very best of the United States Air Force. They were highly skilled and 
they were regularly deployed to remote corners of the globe, supporting 
America's national military strategy.
  Their unit, the 66th Helicopter Rescue Squadron, based in my district 
at Nellis Air Force Base, is only one of 2 such units in the United 
States Air Force. One can find the 66th and their sophisticated H-60 
``Pave Hawk'' helicopters, wherever the action is: Iraq, Saudi Arabia, 
Turkey; you name it, they are there.
  These men are part of a proud tradition of military professionals who 
dedicated their lives to the defense of our country. They paid the 
ultimate price for our freedom. Each and every American owes them a 
debt of gratitude for protecting the freedoms we all enjoy.
  Tomorrow, in a memorial service at Nellis, their families and peers 
will honor these heroes. Our thoughts and our prayers are with the 
families today and tomorrow.
  Mr. Speaker, these men lived up to the 66th Helicopter Rescue 
Squadron's motto, ``These things we do so that others may live.''

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