[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 34 (Thursday, March 16, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E393-E394]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     TRIBUTE TO DELTA COMPANY, 113 AVIATION, OREGON NATIONAL GUARD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GREG WALDEN

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 16, 2006

  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
citizen soldiers of Delta Company, 113 Aviation, Oregon National Guard 
on the occasion of their return home tomorrow from a 14-month 
deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. 
Commanded by Captain David Doran, the 92 Soldiers of this heavy lift 
helicopter company operating CH47D Chinooks proved to be one of the 
most effective and versatile aviation companies in the Army's Total 
Force Structure.
  The ``Mustangs'' of Delta 113 were alerted in June 2004 and assembled 
from cities and towns throughout Oregon, including: Athena, Baker City, 
Beaverton, Bend, Boardman, Clackamas, Corvallis, Echo, Eugene, 
Fairview, Haines, Helix, Hermiston, La Grande, LaPine, Lyons, 
McMinnville, Merrill, Milton-Freewater, Ontario, Pendleton, Pilot Rock, 
Portland, Prineville, Redmond, Roseburg, The Dalles, Umatilla, Union, 
and Vale.
  By late February 2005, the aircrews were fully trained, loaded up, 
and ready for deployment into the theater of operations. In March 2005, 
Delta 113 arrived in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Within the first 20 days, 
the maintainers had the aircraft ready to fly, aircrews were oriented 
on the mission and environment, refuelers had moved out beyond Kandahar 
to Forward Operating Bases, and Delta 113 had assumed the mission.
  They immediately integrated with Task Force Griffin (12 Aviation 
Brigade) and in 3 weeks, the Mustangs had conducted a thorough relief-
in-place of the outgoing Heavy Lift Helicopter Company and were 
conducting all heavy lift operations in southern and western 
Afghanistan. Their missions included: Combat Service support and Air 
Assault support for units of the 25th Infantry Division and 173rd 
Airborne as well as the 7th Special Forces; downed aircraft recovery; 
and transporting VIPs, including Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. 
These missions were all accomplished while flying their standard re-
supply missions, moving more than 95 percent of personnel and equipment 
throughout southern Afghanistan. The Mustangs were responsible for 
airlifting 11 million pounds of supplies and equipment and 45,000 
troops. In addition they carried troops directly into contact with the 
enemy, executing over 100 deliberate operations with the 173rd Airborne 
and 3rd and 7th Special Forces Groups.
  Delta 113 was critical to the success of Operation Catania in June of 
2005. This 4-day operation resulted in the death or capture of over 150 
Anti-Coalition Militants, marking it as one of the largest single 
engagements of Operation Enduring Freedom to date. During this 
fighting, four CH47Ds were damaged by enemy fire and two were forced to 
make emergency landings. All four were recovered and repaired by 
``Mustang'' Downed Aircraft Recovery Teams (DART) on the same day and 
returned to service within 24 hours.
  In September 2005, the Mustangs lost a crew of 5 and an aircraft to 
an enemy RPG during Operation Hazurbus. The fallen soldiers included 
Sgt. Tane Baum and Warrent Officer Adrian Stump, both of Pendleton. The 
Company quickly rallied and continued to execute assigned missions. 
This ability to remain focused during a time of extreme tragedy is the 
hallmark of this unit's greatness and an example of their committnent 
to duty and dedication to mission accomplishment.

  In addition to their taxing in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 
missions, the Mustangs deployed 2 aircraft, aircrews, and support 
personnel to Islamabad, Pakistan, to conduct humanitarian aid missions 
in October 2005. They were on site for 1 month and during that time 
moved over 750,000 pounds of supplies, evacuated 750 casualties, and 
transported 650 aid workers.
  Executing deliberate combat operations to sustain all ongoing combat 
and combat support missions throughout the country, the Mustangs of 
Delta 113 gained the reputation throughout CJTF-76 as a highly 
dependable, professional organization able to execute a wide range of 
aviation missions.

[[Page E394]]

  Mr. Speaker, due to the versatility of the CH47D Chinook Helicopter 
and the expertise and skill of ``Mustang'' aircrews, the combat units 
they transported were able to pursue and eliminate hundreds of Taliban 
and AI-Qaeda fighters in the region. By penetrating deep into the heart 
of the Taliban's stronghold, the Mustangs of Delta 113 were 
instrumental to the success of the ground forces in denying Anti-
Coalition Militants respite and sanctuary in Afghanistan.
  I take great pride in the sacrifice and outstanding performance of 
all of Oregon's patriots who serve our nation at home and abroad, and 
am particularly looking forward to joining the friends and families of 
Delta 113 in Pendleton on this weekend to officially welcome them back 
to our great state.

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