[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 127 (Friday, August 3, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1722]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO CONTINENTAL AIR SERVICE, INC.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LORETTA SANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 2, 2007

  Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
recognize a group of Americans who should have been honored years ago 
for their service and sacrifice to the United States during the Vietnam 
war. For a period of 10 dangerous years, between 1965 and 1975, over 
260 pilots and ground crew members flew over regions in Southeast Asia. 
They were the Continental Air Service Inc., CASI, personnel.
  CASI was a subsidiary of Continental Airlines created at the request 
of the CIA to back up air service in Southeast Asia for another CIA 
airline, Air America. CASI personnel flew support missions for U.S. 
Agency for International Development, U.S. Operations Mission, the CIA, 
and other government agencies. The countries CASI covered include Laos, 
Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, and Singapore.
  CASI pilots deserve to be recognized by our Government. These pilots 
played a vital role during the Vietnam war delivering hard rice, food, 
medicine, and other supplies. Moreover, CASI pilots were sent on many 
secret missions to rescue American troops. Madam Speaker, I would like 
to point out these were not easy missions. CASI pilots flew for 10 
years in the most unfavorable conditions: there were limited air 
traffic controllers in most regions, the unpredictable weather made 
flying dangerous, and their planes were constantly under enemy fire. As 
most of their flights were covert operations, the pilots could not even 
talk about their experiences with their own families.
  CASI pilots flew the same missions, shared the same airstrips, and 
sacrificed their lives in America's war effort as did Air America 
pilots. In fact, CASI and Air America operated side by side for U.S. 
AID during the war. On June 2, 2001, the CIA honored Air America and 
Civil Air Transport for their part in the war effort: however, the CASI 
pilots and crew did not receive the same recognition. Many CASI pilots 
have passed away and some air crews are still missing in action in 
Laos.
  After 32 years, the time has come to honor these individuals who 
sacrificed their own safety for the safety of our American soldiers and 
for our country.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring the gallant pilots and crew 
members of Continental Air Service Inc.

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