[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 71 (Wednesday, May 25, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5917-S5918]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           49TH FIGHTER WING

  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I would like to recognize the 
outstanding men and women of the 49th Fighter Wing at Holloman Air 
Force Base in New Mexico.
  The 49th has received a deployment order to the Western Pacific 
region in support of our national defense objectives.
  Around 250 personnel from Holloman, along with approximately 15 F-
117A

[[Page S5918]]

Nighthawks, are preparing to depart for the Republic of Korea. Their 4-
month deployment is part of an ongoing measure to maintain a credible 
deterrent posture and presence in the region and demonstrates the 
continued U.S. commitment towards fulfilling security responsibilities 
throughout the Western Pacific.
  The F-117A, and the personnel that fly and maintain them, continue to 
be vital to our national security strategy. This is why I am so pleased 
the Senate Armed Services Committee included my bill to restrict 
retirement of any Nighthawks in fiscal year 2006 in the committee 
passed bill.
  We must maintain the ability to deliver precision munitions onto time 
sensitive, high value targets, wherever and whenever the need arises. 
And I am so proud of the men and women from New Mexico that take on 
this very dangerous but important mission in service to their country. 
They are all superstars that deserve the heartfelt appreciation of a 
grateful Nation.

                          ____________________