[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 50 (Thursday, March 27, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E598]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       TRIBUTE TO THE 509TH BOMB WING AT WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE

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                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 27, 2003

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize the outstanding men and 
women of the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, who 
are responsible for the most advanced flying machine in the hands of 
our armed forces, the B-2 Spirit Bomber.
  Nearly 3,500 members of the 509th Bomb Wing, operating from both 
their home base in Missouri and from a forward-deployed location, have 
kept B-2s in the air around the clock, day and night, since the 
beginning of our campaign to liberate the people of Iraq.
  The 509th Bomb Wing started Night One of Operation Iraqi Freedom by 
launching six B-2s and hitting 92 separate regime, command-and-control, 
and other high-value targets in downtown Baghdad. This unprecedented 
feat in aerial history was successfully completed by crews flying 38-
hour round-trip sorties.
  A tremendous effort has gone into training and equipping our great 
American airmen. They have proven, once again, that the B-2 is the 
first to fight. In this case, they have been the only bomber thus far 
that has been put directly in harm's way over Baghdad. The B-2 has 
demonstrated that it is an invaluable asset to coalition operations.
  We recognize and thank the members of the 509th Bomb Wing for their 
sacrifices, both at home and overseas. I know that the members of the 
famed 509th are also proud and greatly appreciative of the outstanding 
support they continue to receive from their friends and neighbors in 
Missouri. On this day and every day, our thoughts and prayers are with 
all our military members and their families.

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