[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 18 (Tuesday, February 2, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E98]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  THE 509TH BOMB WING--SECOND TO NONE

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                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 2, 1999

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, let me take this means to pay tribute to 
the successful leadership of the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force 
Base, MO. This superb military unit, located in West-Central Missouri 
and in the heart of my Congressional District, is home to the B-2 
Stealth Bombers.
  The history of Whiteman AFB is rich in tradition. In 1981, I began my 
work to make sure Whiteman AFB would have a future in the rapidly 
changing military arena, insisting on modernizing what was then 
becoming a run-down missile base. This modernization set the stage for 
21 B-2 bombers that will eventually be based at Whiteman.
  People living in the proximity of Whiteman AFB have a great 
opportunity to observe regularly what can be described as the premier 
United States Air Force Base. Attesting to the top quality of the 
base's 509th Bomb Wing was a recent mission in which three B-2s were 
deployed to Guam for a month of training exercises with 250 troops and 
other Air Force bombers. The returning B-2s were met at Whiteman by an 
honor guard and their two commanders, Lt. General Ronald C. Marcotte, 
the commander of the 8th Air Force, and Brig. General Leroy Barnidge, 
Jr., present commander of the 509th Wing.
  Both commanders praised the success of the training exercise which 
combined a global power mission with precision bombing training on 
targets in the South Pacific. The praise of the 509th was given for 
good reason. Their team performed flawlessly and received high praise 
on every daily report.
  Mr. Speaker, the success of the 509th is due to the high caliber 
leadership at both the 8th Air Force and Whiteman AFB. Lt. General 
Marcotte and Brig. General Barnidge possess the expertise and high 
quality leadership that makes our national defense second to none. The 
U.S. Air Force and other branches of military service merit the support 
of every American, including all Members of Congress.

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