[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 99 (Wednesday, July 6, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1233-E1234]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MINNESOTA AIR NATIONAL GUARD--
              AMERICA'S FIRST IN THE NATION AIR GUARD UNIT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minneosta

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 6, 2011

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the capable and 
courageous men and women of the Minnesota Air National Guard on the 
90th anniversary of its founding. The Minnesota Air National Guard 
holds the distinction of being the first in our nation Air Unit of the 
National Guard recognized by the United States government.
  The Minnesota Air National Guard took flight with humble, but 
honorable beginnings. On September 26, 1920 Captain Ray S. Miller and 
two other Minnesotans rented a Curtiss Oriole biplane to launch an 8-
day flight to Washington, DC. Their mission was to be the first 
federally recognized National Guard flying squadron. Subsequently the 
109th Observation Squadron, the predecessor to today's Minnesota Air 
National Guard, passed muster inspection on January 17th, 1921.
  The creation of the 109th Minnesota Observation Squadron created the 
flight path for Minnesotans to continue making history while serving 
our state and our nation. The 133rd Airlift Wing (133rd AW) of the 
Minnesota Air National Guard Wing is headquartered at the Minneapolis-
Saint Paul International Airport, and provides the U.S. Air Force with 
tactical airlift of troops, cargo, and medical patients anywhere in the 
world utilizing the C-130 Hercules. The 148th Fighter Wing (148th FW),

[[Page E1234]]

headquartered in Duluth, provides the United States Air Force with 
combat Air Sovereignty and Air Defense. Additionally, both Wings are 
continually prepared to support the State of Minnesota with assistance 
in the event of disaster declaration.
  During WWII the 109th Observation Squadron was deployed to Europe, 
initially flying the Supermarine Spitfire Mk V and later reconnaissance 
missions with the North American F-6 Mustang. During the Korean War, 
Minnesota's Air Guard was again activated, contributing pilots to 
active wings throughout the Korean theater.
  Throughout the Cold War of the 1950s and early 1960s, both units of 
the 179th Fighter Interceptor Squadron in Duluth and 109th Fighter 
Interceptor Squadron in St. Paul provided active air defense 
commitments with 24-hour alert status. Threats by the Soviet Union to 
oust Western troops from West Berlin in 1961 prompted the Berlin Crisis 
and a call-up of selected National Guard forces throughout the United 
States. Included in this mobilization were members of the 133rd Air 
Transport Wing, who served in federal active service for eleven months 
while operating out of their home station at the Minneapolis-Saint Paul 
Airport. While the Minnesota Air Guard was never officially mobilized 
during the Vietnam War, the organization flew hundreds of supply and 
transport missions to Southeast Asia.
  Today, the Minnesota Air National Guard continues to serve with valor 
and with honor. We all recall the critical moments following the attack 
on our nation on September 11th, 2001. Immediately, F-16s from the 
148th Fighter Wing were called into action for combat air patrols over 
critical areas. Since then, the Air Guard has provided support for our 
nation's efforts in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom 
and Operation New Dawn as well as other operations worldwide. Brave men 
and women today from 133rd Airlift Wing and the 148th Fighter Wing 
continue to serve our nation with distinction in overseas operations 
today.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in rising to honor the commitment and 
dedication of the 2,000 airmen and women serving in the Minnesota Air 
National Guard as we commemorate the 90th Anniversary of this 
pioneering unit.

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