[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 83 (Friday, May 28, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E991]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                    HONORING THE 178TH FIGHTER WING

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. STEVE AUSTRIA

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 28, 2010

  Mr. AUSTRIA. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the people of Ohio's Seventh 
Congressional District, we are honored to recognize the contributions 
of the 178th Fighter Wing for their 60-plus years of service to our 
nation during their Hail and Farewell Ceremony on June 5, 2010.
  The heritage of the 178th Fighter Wing and 162nd Fighter Squadron 
traces its roots back to the world famous 357th Fighter Group, the 
``Yoxford Boys'' and the 362nd Fighter Squadron in England.
  During World War II, the Wing's combat victories totaled over 695, a 
mark no other fighter unit anywhere has matched. Ever since, the 178th 
Fighter Wing has played an active role in air combat and support, 
training, security forces, engineering, medical, communications, 
aircraft maintenance, human resources and transportation in support of 
contingency operations around the world.
  As the military's needs evolve with the emergence of new threats and 
advancing technology, the Base and Wing will be transitioning to new 
missions that will enable our military to meet the unique challenges of 
the 21st Century. It would have been impossible to imagine, during 
World War II, that planes conducting missions over nations half a world 
away would be piloted by the 178th Fighter Wing in Springfield, Ohio. 
It would be equally difficult to imagine then the quality and speed of 
the intelligence gathering process that will also take place in 
Springfield, through NASIC. We are confident the men and women of the 
178th stand ready to meet future challenges and missions successfully, 
as they begin a new chapter in a proud legacy.
  Thus, with great pride, we congratulate the men and women of the 
178th Fighter Wing and their families for their exemplary service to 
this community and our country and extend best wishes to them for the 
future.

                          ____________________