[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 147 (Tuesday, October 4, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1755-E1756]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE AIR COMMANDO ASSOCIATION AND THE AIR FORCE SPECIAL 
OPERATIONS COMMUNITY FOR THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF JUNGLE JIM AND FOR ITS 
     CONTRIBUTIONS TO OPERATIONS DESERT STORM AND ENDURING FREEDOM

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 4, 2011

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Air 
Commando Association and the Air Force Special Operations Community as 
they celebrate the 50th anniversary of Jungle Jim, the 20th anniversary 
of Operation Desert Storm, and the 10th anniversary of Operation 
Enduring Freedom.
  Fifty years ago, in response to Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev's 
call to spread communism via ``wars of liberation,'' the United States 
Air Force founded the 4400th Combat Crew Training Squadron (CCTS) at 
Hurlbert Field, Florida. The squadron's Airmen--hand-picked and 
rigorously screened--formed the backbone of a counter-guerrilla force 
that would eventually grow into the Air Force Special Operations 
Command (AFSOC). The 4400th CCTS, nicknamed ``Jungle Jim,'' had a dual 
focus on training foreign air forces in counter-insurgency operations, 
and executing combat missions against guerrilla forces in Vietnam and 
other nations fighting communist insurgencies. Today, the Air Commandos 
based at Hurlbert Field remember Jungle Jim as the genesis of the 
missions they continue to execute.
  By the time Operation Desert Storm began in August 1990, AFSOC had 
been formally established. Air Commandos from AFSOC performed direct 
action missions, combat search and rescue, infiltration, exfiltration, 
air base ground defense, air interdiction, special reconnaissance, 
close air support, psychological operations and helicopter air 
refueling. Each of these unique capabilities contributed to the 
stunning victory over Saddam Hussein's forces, as the coalition of 
nations drove the Iraqi military out of Kuwait. The dramatic successes 
of our Air Commandos helped further cement AFSOC's role as a premier 
special operations organization.
  When the United States was attacked on September 11, 2001, special 
operations forces gained a new prominence in efforts to defend our 
nation. By the end of September 2001, AFSOC had deployed forces to pave 
the way for Operation Enduring Freedom, enabling the Northern Alliance 
to drive out Taliban and Al Qaeda forces who were responsible for the 
heinous attacks on our homeland. To this day, AFSOC maintains forces 
forward-deployed in defense of our nation.

[[Page E1756]]

  Each of these landmark events represented a new point of maturation 
for our nation's Air Commandos. Their exploits over the years have 
solidified their place in our national security apparatus, and their 
sacrifices are remembered with solemn respect.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am privileged 
to recognize the Air Commando Association and the Air Force Special 
Operations Community for their service in defense of our freedom.

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