[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 132 (Thursday, October 19, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1826]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE 119TH AIR CONTROL SQUADRON

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. JOHN J. DUNCAN, JR.

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 18, 2000

  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, after 50 years as a mobile, tactical radar 
unit, the 119th Air Control Squadron, commanded by Lt. Col. John F. 
White at McGhee Tyson Air Base in the Second District of Tennessee, is 
observing its half-century of service this month.
  This is also a unique and interesting time for the squadron, as it 
will be the oldest Air National Guard unit in East Tennessee to move to 
the United States Space Command.
  The Space Command was looking for a unit that had a depth of 
experience in command and control, running an operations center for a 
general office, controlling forces, movement of forces, the operations 
of forces, and responding to other tasks. The 119th Air Control 
Squadron matched these qualifications and demands perfectly.
  The unit was federally recognized 50 years ago on October 6, 1950, 
while located on Sutherland Avenue at the former site of McGhee Tyson 
Airport in west Knoxville. It was called to active duty in 1952 to Otis 
Air Force Base in Massachusetts. It has been at its present location at 
McGhee Tyson Air Base since 1956.
  Over the past decade, the unit has completed seven major Air Force 
command inspections. The last one was in 1996 at White Sands Missile 
Range in New Mexico when the unit received the highest rating ever 
given an air squadron during an Operational Readiness Inspection.
  The 119th Squadron has been awarded six Air Force Outstanding Unit 
Awards, two Joint Meritorious Service Awards, two National Guard 
Meritorious Service Awards, and two Air Guard Outstanding Mission 
Support Squadron Awards.
  Mr. Speaker, I know that I join with the citizens of the 2nd District 
in congratulating Lt. Col. John F. White and the 119th Squadron for 
their service and devotion to the people of East Tennessee and the 
world. I want to wish them all the luck in the future on their new 
missions and endeavors. I ask my fellow colleagues and other readers of 
the Record to join me in thanking the 119th Squadron for their many 
years of service and contributions to East Tennessee and the United 
States. Our Nation is certainly a better place because of people like 
those who serve in the beloved 119th Air Control Squadron.

                          ____________________