[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 57 (Thursday, April 19, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E597]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE ARMY NATIONAL GUARD AND AIR NATIONAL GUARD OF THE STATE OF 
                                OKLAHOMA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN SULLIVAN

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 19, 2012

  Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to state for the record my 
gratitude to the members of the Army National Guard and Air National 
Guard of the State of Oklahoma and their families for their service and 
sacrifice on behalf of the United States since their deployment to 
Operation Enduring Freedom in July 2011.
  The Army National Guard and Air National Guard of the State of 
Oklahoma are composed of several units, including the 45th Infantry 
Brigade Combat Team. The 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team is made up 
of six subordinate Battalions. Additionally, the 146th Air Support 
Operations Squadron (ASOS), and Oklahoma Air National Guard unit were 
attached to the 45th IBCT for combat operations.
  In July of 2011, the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team mobilized for 
Operation Enduring Freedom to conduct full spectrum operations. Since 
July 2011, the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team deployed more than 
3,000 soldiers to provide command and control and conduct security 
force and detainee operations and to provide training to Afghan 
Security Forces, representing the largest single deployment for the 
Oklahoma Army National Guard since the Korean War.
  When the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team moved into theater, 1,200 
soldiers from the 1 160th Field Artillery Battalion and the 1 180th 
Cavalry Squadron were detached from the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat 
Team and redirected to Kuwait.
  Upon arrival in Regional Command-East, the 45th Infantry Brigade 
Combat Team, as Task Force Thunderbird, assumed responsibility for 
Panjshir and Laghman Provinces as well as the three western districts 
of Nuristan Province; Mandol, Do Ab and Nurguram. The combined 
operations area in Afghanistan consisted of over 10,000 square 
kilometers and an estimated population well over 600,000.
  Through the exceptional performance of the 45th Infantry Brigade 
Combat Team as Task Force Thunderbird, the Provinces where the 45th 
were operating are better prepared to run their government 
independently of Coalition Forces.
  Sadly, these successes did not come without a price, as 14 soldiers 
from Task Force Thunderbird made the ultimate sacrifice, and many 
soldiers were wounded, to ensure the freedom and security of the United 
States and Afghan people.
  I wish to publicly recognize the citizen-soldiers and airmen of the 
Oklahoma National Guard as invaluable to the national security of the 
United States, vital to defending against threats both foreign and 
domestic, and I welcome these brave men and women home to a grateful 
nation.

                          ____________________