[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 149 (Thursday, October 6, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1785]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING THE 446TH AIRLIFT WING FOR EARNING THE AIR FORCE 
                         MERITORIOUS UNIT AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ADAM SMITH

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 6, 2011

  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
446th Airlift Wing for earning the Air Force Meritorious Unit Award. 
The award reflects the wing's outstanding performance flying combat and 
peacetime missions between 2008 and 2010.
  The 446th Airlift Wing is Washington State's only Air Force Reserve 
flying unit and performs roughly 44 percent of all C-17 missions 
leaving McChord Field located on Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Having won 
this accolade in 2007, this honor marks the second time the 446th 
Airlift Wing has earned the Meritorious Unit Award.
  The Meritorious Unit Award was established in 2004 to recognize 
organizations for exceptional achievement or service in direct support 
of combat operations. The 2,100 airmen who make up the 446th Airlift 
Wing are honored for contributing directly to national objectives and 
continuously demonstrating their combat readiness as they fulfilled 
global peacetime and wartime operations. Flying more than 9,700 
missions in more than 42,000 flying hours averaging 2,000 missions 
every four months to 11 different Iraqi airfields proves that this unit 
is nothing short of exemplary.
  Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize the 446th for its 
performance and its commitment to serving the United States. I ask that 
my colleagues in the House of Representatives please join me in 
congratulating the 446th Airlift Wing for receiving the Air Force 
Meritorious Unit Award.

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