[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 22 (Thursday, February 26, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E255]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING EAT CAPTAIN ERIC GENNOTTE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 26, 2004

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor European Air 
Transport (EAT) Captain Eric Gennotte, a civilian volunteer pilot, for 
his remarkable heroism while flying in Iraq. Captain Gennotte 
demonstrated incredible valor on Saturday, November 22, 2003, when he 
landed his Airbus 300 after it was hit by multiple surface-to-air 
rockets upon take off from Baghdad Airport.
  At the time of the incident, Captain Gennotte was returning to a DHL 
Global Delivery mail distribution center in Europe after delivering 
mail to U.S. soldiers in Baghdad. Shortly after taking off on November 
22, Captain Gennotte's cargo and crew were struck by hostile rocket 
fire causing the complete loss of hydraulic power to the aircraft. 
Losing ``stick control'' rendered the aircraft non-navigable under 
normal circumstances. In a display of immense skill and bravery, 
Captain Gennotte regained control of the aircraft using the plane's 
engines as rudders to stabilize and turn the weakened vessel. In order 
to turn right, Captain Gennotte fired the left engine; to turn left he 
fired the right engine. After dodging continued missile attacks with 
failed equipment, Captain Gennotte successfully landed the burning 
plane with nothing but the two engines, completing a feat that had 
never before been accomplished in EAT piloting history. Captain 
Gennotte is already in line to receive a safety award from the 
Secretary General of the Belgian Cockpit Association.
  Because of Captain Gennotte's deft skill, his cargo and the crew, 
which included a British flight engineer and another Belgian pilot, 
lived through the assault. As peacekeepers continue to come under 
attack, it is particularly uplifting to hear tales of bravery like that 
of Captain Gennotte. Heroic stories like this one are prime examples 
that the best way to combat cowardly acts of terror is to share our own 
heroic responses to it.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying special tribute 
to EAT Captain Eric Gennotte. Honorable and gallant allies like him 
risk their lives to help others. I wish him and his family all the best 
as we pay tribute to one of our Nation's fearless friends.

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