[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 36 (Thursday, March 10, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E455]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE OKLAHOMA NATIONAL GUARD'S 45TH INFANTRY BRIGADE 
COMBAT TEAM, THE OKLAHOMA STABILIZATION TRANSITIONS TEAM AND THE 146TH 
                     AIR SUPPORT OPERATION SQUADRON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN SULLIVAN

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 10, 2011

  Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the Oklahoma 
National Guard's 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT), the Oklahoma 
Stabilization Transitions Team and the 146th Air Support Operations 
Squadron that are set to deploy to Afghanistan in support of the Global 
War on Terror.
  A farewell ceremony honoring more than 3,200 deploying members of the 
45th IBCT, the Oklahoma Stabilization Transitions Team and the 146th 
Air Support Operation Squadron was held at the Oklahoma City Arena and 
Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Families and friends 
throughout the state had the opportunity to celebrate the patriotism 
and courage of Oklahoma's citizen soldiers and airmen. This will be the 
largest single deployment since the Korean War, an important event in 
the history of the Oklahoma National Guard.
  The 45th IBCT recently began training at Camp Gruber Maneuver 
Training Center and then they will move to the mobilization station at 
Fort Bliss, Texas. The brigade is undergoing intense mission specific 
training that will prepare them for any mission unique tasks that they 
will be required to perform while deploying to Afghanistan.
  I know this is not the first deployment for many of these brave men 
and women and their families back home. Their collective sacrifice for 
our nation's security is symbolic of the pride Oklahoma has for our 
citizen soldiers and airmen serving in times of war and conflict.
  I am confident these soldiers and airmen are ready to answer the call 
in the defense of our nation. With this deployment, they are carrying 
forward the proud history of this brigade. It is an honor to represent 
many of these brave citizen soldiers in Congress, and I look forward to 
supporting their critically important missions to the fullest extent 
possible. My prayers go out to the soldiers and their families during 
this deployment. They have my full support and I pray for not only 
successful missions but their safe return home to their families.

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