[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 104 (Tuesday, July 24, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1408]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE 509TH BOMB WING EMERGENCY RESPONSE 
                                  TEAM

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 24, 2001

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, let me take this means to pay tribute to 
the Whiteman Air Force Base 509th Bomb Wing emergency response team. On 
July 12, 2001 the team successfully helped a TWA flight divert a 
tragedy by acting with precision and expertise.
  The 509th Bomb Wing emergency response team is made up of 
firefighters, security forces, medics, transportation, chaplain, legal, 
public affairs, and services. Nearly every unit at Whiteman AFB played 
a role in the successful execution of this mission. After an emergency 
landing the team was on hand to help safely unload every passenger and 
transport them to the community center.
  At the community center passengers were offered an array of services 
and support, including meals, free phone calls and entertainment. 
Members of the team did sign language for a hearing impaired family, 
spoke Japanese to three passengers that spoke no English and spent 
there own money on snacks for the travelers.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the members of the 509th Bomb Wing 
emergency response team for such outstanding performances during the 
recent unexpected commercial landing. These men and women went above 
and beyond the call of duty and deserve our praise. I know that Members 
of the House will join me in sending the 509th Bomb Wing emergency 
response team a heartfelt thank you for a job well done.

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