[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 96 (Wednesday, June 11, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1198]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     U.S. ARMY RESERVE RETURNS TO LIFE-SAVING AIR AMBULANCE MISSION

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                          HON. C.W. BILL YOUNG

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 11, 2008

  Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam Speaker, with the delivery of the first 
two HH-60 Blackhawk helicopters this past Saturday to F Company, 1st 
Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment, at the St. Petersburg-Clearwater 
International Airport in Florida, the U.S. Army Reserve is preparing to 
resume its life-saving air evacuation mission.
  Lieutenant General Jack C. Stultz, the Chief of the Army Reserve, and 
I joined in ceremonies to accept the delivery of the first of the 12 
helicopters that will be assigned to this unit, which officially stands 
up its operations this September. The Army Reserve stopped flying air 
evacuation missions in 1993, but General Stultz, realizing the 
tremendous demand for these operations throughout the world, made it a 
priority to reestablish this capability.
  Given the advancements of armored vehicles, body armor, and medical 
care administered in the field, we are able to save the lives of 
servicemembers who in prior conflicts would have died. With the state-
of-the-art helicopters like those we received Saturday, we are saving 
lives and getting those injured men and women to field hospitals 
quicker than ever so they can receive the care they need and they so 
richly deserve.
  The HH-60 air ambulance helicopters are emergency rooms in the air. 
They are equipped with the finest possible medical systems to provide 
critical care for up to six patients. These systems include an 
electronic patient litter system, on-board oxygen generation system, 
medical suction system, patient monitors and high intensity night 
vision goggle compatible lighting.
  The aircraft are also equipped with the most advanced avionics and 
special mission systems to assist the crew in locating and rescuing 
injured personnel on the battlefield. These include forward looking 
infrared (FLIR) systems and an external rescue hoist to quickly raise 
and lower patients and rescue personnel. In addition, the new HH-60s 
have additional payload and range to allow them to carry more patients 
and fly longer distances without refueling.
  The men and women who fly these missions as pilots, flight engineers, 
and medics are the best our Nation has to offer. We owe them the finest 
equipment to perform their mission safely and securely, but the 
machinery and technology means nothing if we did not have the people 
willing to fly into harm's way to save a fellow American.
  The MEDEVAC crews are defenseless in flying their machines. They have 
no defensive systems on board and they often fly unaccompanied and must 
land under hostile fire to pick up their patients. As I said Saturday, 
it takes a special person to perform this mission and to perform it so 
well.
  They fly with the same spirit as one of the legendary MEDEVAC pilots, 
Major Charles ``Combat'' Kelly, who died while flying a mission in 
Vietnam in 1964. He coined what is now the motto for all MEDEVAC crews: 
``No compromise. No rationalization. No hesitation. Fly the mission. 
Now!''
  Madam Speaker, let us take time today to honor the MEDEVAC crews that 
have brought home so many of our heroes to their families and friends. 
It is my distinct honor to have the privilege to represent the newly 
formed F Company in Pinellas County, Florida, and I look forward to 
being with the unit when it officially stands up later this year.

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