[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 28 (Tuesday, March 2, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H989-H991]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING 139TH AIRLIFT WING
Mr. MARSHALL. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
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the resolution (H. Res. 699) expressing the appreciation of Congress
for the service and sacrifice of the members of the 139th Airlift Wing,
Air National Guard, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 699
Whereas the 139th Airlift Wing (AW), Air National Guard has
its roots in the formation of the 180th Bombardment Squadron
(Light), which was one of the first federally recognized Air
National Guard units in the United States;
Whereas the 180th Bombardment Squadron deployed in support
of the Korean War in December 1951;
Whereas in 1976, the unit was redesignated as the 139th
Tactical Airlift Group (TAG);
Whereas in 1990, the 139th TAG assisted in troop deployment
during Operation Desert Storm;
Whereas in 1992, the unit was redesignated the 139th
Airlift Group (AG);
Whereas, between 1992 and 1996, the 139th AG supported
humanitarian operations in Bosnia, Sarajevo, Africa, and
Haiti;
Whereas in 1995, the unit officially became known as the
139th Airlift Wing;
Whereas, between 1998 and 2004, the 139th AW supported
military operations alongside North Atlantic Treaty
Organization (NATO) forces as part of Operation Joint Forge
in Europe;
Whereas in 2002, the 139th AW deployed in support of
Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan;
Whereas in 2005, the 139th AW assisted with disaster relief
efforts in response to Hurricane Katrina;
Whereas in December 2007, the 139th AW was enlisted to
support efforts in response to a devastating ice storm that
struck Northwest Missouri; and
Whereas the 139th AW hosts the renowned Advanced Airlift
Tactics Training Center (AATTC);
Whereas NATO air forces utilize the AATTC in support of
training operations;
Whereas in 2008, the Headquarters United States Air Force
General Officers' Steering Committee approved a Total Force
Integration Initiative designating the AATTC as a blended
unit of Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve, and Regular
Air Force members;
Whereas in 2008, the AATTC was designated the Mobility Air
Forces Tactics Center of Excellence;
Whereas nearly 2,500 civilians and military personnel from
Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas serve selflessly in
the 139th AW: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) recognizes the exemplary service and sacrifice of the
members of the 139th Airlift Wing and their families; and
(2) commends the members of the 139th AW and their families
(and all of the other members of the Armed Forces who have
served, or who are currently serving, in support of United
States military contingency operations) for their service and
sacrifice on behalf of the United States.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Georgia (Mr. Marshall) and the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr.
Jones) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Georgia.
General Leave
Mr. MARSHALL. I ask that all Members have 5 legislative days in which
to revise and extend their remarks on the resolution under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Georgia?
There was no objection.
Mr. MARSHALL. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 699,
recognizing the service and sacrifice of the members of the 139th
Airlift Wing of the Air National Guard. I would like to thank my
colleague, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Graves), for bringing this
resolution before the House.
Units of the Air National Guard play a critical role in America's
wars and major contingencies as well as provide valuable assistance to
their States in times of crisis. I'm extraordinarily proud of Georgia's
Air National Guard and the 116th blended wing that's housed at Robins
Air Force Base. The 139th Airlift Wing has roots in one of the
federally recognized Air National Guard units in the United States, and
it continues to be an important part of defense efforts at home and
abroad.
The unit deployed in support Operation Enduring Freedom in
Afghanistan and assisted in troop deployment during Operation Desert
Storm. In the 1990s, the 139th supported humanitarian operations in
Bosnia, Sarajevo, Africa, and Haiti. In addition to their efforts
overseas, in 2005, they assisted with disaster relief efforts in
response to Hurricane Katrina. Today, thousands of civilian and
military personnel from northwest Missouri and northeast Kansas serve
selflessly in the unit.
The 139th Airlift Wing provides essential support to maintenance and
growth of the armed services. The unit is home to the Advanced Airlift
Tactics Training Center that trains U.S. airlift crews and support
personnel as well as NATO air forces in advanced tactics training.
House Resolution 699 recognizes the dedication and courage of not
only the members of the 139th Airlift Wing and their families and
service to the Nation, but also all of the members of the Armed Forces
who have served or are currently serving in support of the United
States military contingency operations. All our servicemembers and
their families deserve our deepest gratitude and respect.
I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the exemplary service
and sacrifices of the 139th Airlift Wing by supporting House Resolution
699.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. JONES. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise in support of House Resolution 699, which recognizes the
service and sacrifice of the members of the 139th Airlift Wing,
Missouri Air National Guard. I want to commend my friend Sam Graves of
Missouri for sponsoring this legislation.
The 139th Airlift Wing is a remarkably diverse and capable unit. For
example, one of its major subordinate units is the Advanced Airlift
Tactics Training Center. That unit exemplifies the total force concept
because its members come not only from the Air National Guard but also
from the Air Force Reserve and the active Air Force. They provide
advanced tactical training to improve the effectiveness and suitability
of airlift crews from all components of the Air Force--the Special
Operations Command, the Marine Corps, and 15 allied nations.
Members of the wing have deployed in support of operations in Iraq
and Afghanistan, to include providing the security element for a
Missouri agribusiness development team that returned last fall from a
year-long mission in Afghanistan. The success of the 139th Airlift Wing
is directly related to the dedication, sacrifice, and professionalism
of the nearly 2,500 civilian and military personnel who carry out the
unit's missions. Their efforts deserve our recognition and thanks. For
that reason, I urge all Members to support this resolution.
Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr.
Graves) who introduced this resolution.
Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, last July I was humbled and honored to
introduce House Resolution 699, expressing the appreciation of Congress
for the service and sacrifice of the members of the 139th Airlift Wing,
Missouri Air National Guard. Since World War II, the men and women of
the 139th have been based at Rosecrans Memorial Airport in St. Joseph,
Missouri, which is in my district.
First, I want to thank Chairman Skelton and Ranking Member McKeon for
allowing this important resolution to come to the floor today. And
further, I want to thank my colleagues who joined me in cosponsoring
this resolution and helping move forward such an important tribute. I
would also like to recognize the 139th Airlift Wing's commanders--at
least those whom I have been able to work with--General Steven McCamy,
Colonel Davenport, General Stephen Cotter, and, most recently, the new
commander, Colonel Mike McEnulty. Colonel McEnulty has been a dynamic
leader in working to continue and expand the role of the Missouri Air
National Guard, and he is an invaluable resource to my office, our
military, and, obviously, the St. Joseph community.
The 139th Airlift Wing, initially designated as the 180th Bombardment
Squadron, has been serving our Nation proudly since 1946, which makes
it one of the first federally recognized Air National Guard units in
the Nation. They have deployed, and it has already been pointed out,
they have deployed and supported the Korean War, Operation Desert
Storm, military operations
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alongside NATO forces as part of Operation Joint Forge in Europe, and
Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. And the members of the 139th
Airlift Wing have also assisted with humanitarian efforts in response
to the great flood of 1993, Hurricane Katrina, severe storms that
struck northwest Missouri in 2007, and most recently in response to the
devastating earthquake in Haiti.
In 1984, the 139th Airlift Wing became home to the Advanced Airlift
Tactics Training Center, which some have already pointed out today. The
Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center increases the warfighting
effectiveness and the survivability of mobility forces in a combat
environment and is utilized by our military and NATO forces from around
the world. It is used by Reserve units and active duty units.
It's always interesting, whenever I have the opportunity to travel
abroad, whether it's to Afghanistan or to Iraq, a lot of times Members
of Congress would travel with C-17 crews or C-130 crews, and one of the
things I always ask them is if they've been through the school at St.
Joe, and 80 percent of the time they say, yes, they have. They've been
to the Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center, which has taught them
survivability in those areas.
Lastly, I want to express my sincere gratitude to the nearly 2,500
civilian and military personnel from northwest Missouri and northeast
Kansas which serve selflessly in the 139th Airlift Wing. I commend
their exemplary service and sacrifice and that of their families and
that of all other members of the Armed Forces who have served, who are
currently serving and are supporting the United States military
contingency operations at home and abroad.
Madam Speaker, please join me in thanking the men and women of the
139th Airlift Wing by supporting this important resolution.
Mr. JONES. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. MARSHALL. Madam Speaker, I certainly hope that the House will
support House Resolution 699.
I just want to take this opportunity, on behalf of all members of the
Armed Services Committee and all Members of the Congress, to thank the
men and women of our National Guard, whatever branch, for the service
that you provide this country and particularly the service that you are
providing this country in our contingency operations. It's a strain on
you. It's a strain on your families, and we're grateful. The Nation
owes you. We appreciate your service.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Marshall) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 699, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. MARSHALL. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
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