[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 52 (Tuesday, April 24, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E612]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           OPERATION DESERT STORM AND THE 926TH FIGHTER WING

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. RICHARD H. BAKER

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 24, 2001

  Mr. BAKER. Mr. Speaker, in early August 1990, Iraqi military forces 
illegally invaded Kuwait, a neighboring sovereign state. Immediately, 
American military forces began deploying to the area to deter the 
Iraqis from further aggression. During Operation Desert Shield, the 
build-up phase for the later operation, Desert Storm, troops and 
supplies were put into motion and decisions were made about who, when, 
where, and how for the possible coming conflict should diplomatic 
efforts prove unfruitful. During this buildup period, it was decided 
there would be participation in this campaign by the reserve forces of 
the United States military; and the unit to represent the United States 
Air Force Reserve would be the 706th Fighter Squadron, along with 
supporting personnel, of the 926th Fighter Wing from New Orleans, 
Louisiana.
  Approximately 500 members of the 926th Fighter Wing were recalled to 
active duty and placed on military orders on Dec. 29, 1990. (Personnel 
of the 926th Security Forces Squadron had already served a tour of duty 
in Saudi Arabia in the fall of 1990 during the build-up phase of 
Operation Desert Shield.) On the evening of Jan. 1, 1991, the 
University of Tennessee was participating in the Sugar Bowl at the 
Superdome in New Orleans as 18 combat-loaded A-10s took off from the 
Naval Air Station at Belle Chasse, Louisiana, and turned eastward 
toward Saudi Arabia. By Jan. 6, the 18 A-10s and the approximately 500 
maintenance and support personnel would arrive at King Fahd 
International Airport to support the military operation. This was the 
first U.S. Air Force Reserve fighter unit to be activated by a 
presidential recall and then sent to serve in a combat military 
operation.
  The members of the 926th Fighter Wing were in country less than two 
weeks when, early in the morning, on Jan. 17, the first combat sorties 
were launched to strike military targets in Iraq and Kuwait. The war 
had begun. The early intent was to take down the enemy's communication 
ability, followed closely by removing their artillery assets, and 
demoralizing the ``elite'' Republican Guard. The air campaign that 
ensued was a complete success, resulting in a swift four-day ground war 
and a victory by allied forces. On Feb. 28, 1991, the war was over.
  Amid the joy of victory work continued, and preparations began for 
the demobilization of deployed American forces, including the return of 
the members of the 926th Fighter Wing who distinguished themselves in 
combat and served with honor alongside their active-duty counterparts. 
On May 17th, the last of the 18 A-10s and 500 people originally 
deployed to the region, returned safely to Naval Air Station, New 
Orleans, Louisiana. Mission Accomplished! All personnel and all 
aircraft deployed returned safely to home station.
  Since that time, members and aircraft of the 926th Fighter Wing have 
continued to answer the call to duty whenever and wherever needed. In 
1995, approximately 300 members deployed to Aviano Air Base, Italy, in 
support of Operation Deny Flight. Members have also deployed in support 
of humanitarian missions in the Americas. Again, in 1998 members of the 
unit deployed to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait in support of Operation 
Southern Watch to support and help enforce the no-fly zone over Iraq 
instituted after Operation Desert Storm. In September and October 1999, 
A-10s and personnel from the wing returned to Kuwait to participate in 
Aerospace Expeditionary Force (AEF) 1.
  This tradition of service and sacrifice continues into the 21st 
century as in mid-January, 2001, members of the 926th Fighter Wing 
began deploying to Southwest Asia for the wing's second rotation on the 
AEF. Their mission this time being combat search and rescue for 
Operation Northern Watch.
  The successes of the 926th Fighter Wing during combat operations in 
Operation Desert Storm, and throughout all of the on-going missions 
since then, are due to the outstanding leadership, devotion to duty, 
and sacrifice of the men and women of the unit; and, the valuable 
support of their families. As a nation, we give thanks to the members 
of the 926th Fighter Wing, New Orleans, Louisiana, and their families, 
as we salute and honor them, during this 10-year anniversary of 
Operation Desert Storm, for their service to our country in the cause 
of freedom.

                          ____________________