[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 35 (Thursday, March 15, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E376]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                   AIRBORNE EARLY WARNING SQUADRON 77

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                             HON. BOB BARR

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 15, 2001

  Mr. BARR of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, during times of peace, there are 
unfortunately many who take our nation's armed forces for granted. In 
the process, not only do they forget the time-tested wisdom that 
preparing for war is the best way to avoid it, they also forget the 
contributions that military units make to the functioning of our 
republic.
  One would be hard pressed to find a better example of this principle 
in action than Airborne Early Warning Squadron 77, or VAW-77.
  VAW-77 performs a vital role in our defense structure, by providing 
the most valuable of all defense commodities: information. Its E-2C 
Hawkeye aircraft collect and synthesize the information our fighter and 
attack aircraft depend on to perform their roles. By performing this 
function, VAW-77's ``Nightwolves'' serve as the eyes and ears for 
surface ships and naval aviators during engagements and exercises.
  Fortunately for our families, schools, and neighborhoods, the work of 
the Nightwolves goes beyond simply deterring America's military enemies 
from attacking our shores and national interests. During its five year 
existence, the squadron has deployed to the Caribbean ten times.
  These deployments have resulted in the confiscation and destruction 
of several metric tons of cocaine and marijuana. These are drugs that 
will not be reaching America's streets due directly to the efforts of 
VAW-77.
  We owe the men and women of VAW-77 a great debt for their service in 
this area, and I encourage others to join in thanking them for their 
dedication and success.

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