[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 106 (Thursday, September 9, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S9029]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    GEORGIA'S 116TH AIR CONTROL WING

 Mr. MILLER. Mr. President, today I rise to honor Georgia's 
116th Air Control Wing (ACW) based at Robins Air Force Base. This week, 
the wing will be awarded the Spaatz Trophy, which recognizes the 
Nation's most outstanding Air National Guard unit.
  For those of you who do not know, the Spaatz Trophy is named for 
General Carl Spaatz, the first chief of staff of the independent Air 
Force and is presented annually to the overall outstanding Air National 
Guard flying unit. Selection of the winner is based on unit combat 
readiness during the reporting year and the unit's performance with 
respect to all other Air Guard flying units. More than 90 flying units 
from across the Nation are eligible to compete.
  I would like to point out that this year's winner is no ordinary Air 
Force wing. The 116th ACW made history 2 years ago when it became the 
first blended unit ever in the Air Force--kicking off an historic 
transformation of our fighting force. The wing is comprised of both Air 
National Guardsmen members of the Active Duty Air Force, and is 
commanded by a member of the Georgia Air Guard--General Tom Lynn.
  Further, the 116th ACW is the only Air Force unit operating the E-8C 
Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System, Joint STARS, which is 
the most advanced airborne ground surveillance and battle management 
system in the world.
  During 2003, the year for which this award is presented, the 116th 
ACW completed the largest deployment in its history as it supported 
Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and flew more than 5,000 
combat hours. This outstanding achievement occurred just months after 
the wing's historic transformation.
  It is a great honor to win the Spaatz Trophy, and this award further 
illustrates the hard work taking place by the extremely talented 
members of the 116th ACW. I would like to extend my heartfelt 
congratulations to General Tom Lynn and all the members of the 116th 
Air Control Wing.

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