[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 87 (Friday, May 25, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1159-E1160]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL R. TURNER

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 24, 2007

  Mr. TURNER. Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize Wright-Patterson 
Air Force Base (WPAFB) on the occasion of its 90th anniversary this 
month. When the United States entered World War I in 1917, the army 
selected

[[Page E1160]]

Dayton as the location to increase our Nation's air forces. Three 
military installations, Wilbur Wright Field, the Fairfield Aviation 
General Supply Depot, and McCook Field, were opened in 1917 to assist 
the military with aviation development. The use of Wilbur Wright Field 
as a government installation dates back to May of 1917, 90 years ago 
this month.
  As the birthplace of aviation, Dayton, Ohio is proud to be the home 
of one of the largest Air Force installations in the world. In fact, in 
1924, Dayton citizens purchased over 4,500 acres of land for $425,000 
and provided the deeds to President Calvin Coolidge for the 
construction of a new aviation engineering center that later became 
part of WPAFB. The excellent and groundbreaking work of air development 
at WPAFB distinguishes the base as a landmark of tremendous historical 
importance. Dayton has been involved in flight from the Wright B Flyer 
to the F-22, the current stealth fighter.
  The leadership responsibilities and innovative research currently 
undertaken at WPAFB are essential to the success and future air 
superiority of the United States Air Force (USAF). WPAFB serves as the 
headquarters for the branch's worldwide logistics system and all USAF 
systems development and procurement; the headquarters for National Air 
and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC), the Department of Defense's 
primary source for foreign aerospace intelligence; an aeronautical 
engineering center; a major research laboratory; the Air Force 
Institute of Technology (AFIT); the second largest USAF medical center; 
and is crowned by the National Museum of the USAF, the largest military 
aviation museum in the world.
  Madam Speaker, I trust that my colleagues will join me in honoring 
the 90th anniversary of WPAFB. The renowned work at WPAFB is considered 
by many as the backbone of the USAF and essential to our country's 
national security.

                          ____________________