[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 62 (Wednesday, May 15, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S4383]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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        MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE WINS THE 2002 BLANCHARD TROPHY

  Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
men and women of Malmstrom Air Force Base, AFB, Montana for being 
awarded the Blanchard Trophy as the United States Air Force's best 
intercontinental ballistic missile wing.
  This is the eighth time Malmstrom has won this weeklong competition, 
called Guardian Challenge. There are several areas scored in this 
competition including missile operations, satellite operations, remote 
space tracking, security forces, helicopter operations, food services, 
missile maintenance, communications, and missile codes.
  The men and women who compete in Guardian Challenge are the best of 
the best from their respective Air Force Bases. This year marks the 
35th anniversary of the competition, boasting some 200 participants. 
Besides the competition, Guardian Challenge helps sharpen the skills of 
and improve our military personnel's effectiveness and combat 
capability, while showing the world that the United States is the 
world's premier space force, second to none. The 341 Space Wing of 
Malmstrom AFB controls 200 Minuteman III missiles. This award is just 
one of several that Team Malmstrom has won over the years. They are 
truly the best of the best.
  I am very proud of the men and women from Malmstrom AFB. As Operation 
Enduring Freedom continues, our military personnel are being tasked 
with increased missions and more time spent away from their families to 
support the war on terrorism. As a former member of the U.S. Marine 
Corps, I understand and appreciate the sacrifices these people and 
their families make in the name of freedom. Military people are special 
freedom-loving people.
  Montana is fortunate to have Malmstrom AFB, and I know that I speak 
for all Montanans when I congratulate Malmstrom AFB for being the best 
intercontinental ballistic missile wing in the world.

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