[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 70 (Wednesday, May 16, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3238-S3239]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 464--COMMEMORATING THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF ELLSWORTH 
                             AIR FORCE BASE

  Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota (for himself and Mr. Thune) submitted the 
following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 464

       Whereas on January 2, 1942, the War Department established 
     Rapid City Army Air Base in South Dakota as a training 
     location for B 17 Flying Fortress crews;
       Whereas thousands of pilots, navigators, radio operators, 
     and gunners were trained at Rapid City Army Air Base and went 
     on to support the allied efforts in World War II;
       Whereas on June 13, 1953, President Dwight D. Eisenhower 
     visited the base and dedicated it in memory of Brigadier 
     General Richard E. Ellsworth;
       Whereas during the Cold War, Ellsworth Air Force Base 
     maintained 2 legs of the strategic triad, strategic 
     bombardment, and intercontinental ballistic missiles, earning 
     the title ``The Showplace of Strategic Air Command'';
       Whereas 2012 marks the 25th year of the B 1B Lancer mission 
     at Ellsworth Air Force Base;
       Whereas in 1999, B 1Bs from Ellsworth Air Force Base flew 
     over 100 combat missions in support of NATO forces in 
     Operation Allied Force in Kosovo;
       Whereas Ellsworth Air Force Base has played a crucial role 
     in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, 
     and Operation Enduring Freedom, deploying over 10,000 
     personnel and flying over 6,000 combat sorties in those 
     operations;
       Whereas the first ever B 1B global strike mission launched 
     from the United States came from Ellsworth Air Force Base on 
     March 30, 2011, striking targets in Libya before refueling, 
     rearming, and hitting additional targets in Libya on the 
     return;
       Whereas, for 70 years, Ellsworth Air Force Base has served 
     as an integral part of the defense strategy of the United 
     States and served as the proud home to thousands of bomber 
     pilots, navigators, radio operators, gunners, missile launch 
     control facility personnel, and aircraft and missile 
     maintenance personnel;
       Whereas, the personnel from Ellsworth Air Force Base have a 
     history of compiling some

[[Page S3239]]

     of the highest marks in competitive readiness and maintenance 
     exercises and competitions;
       Whereas, for the past 65 years, Ellsworth Air Force Base 
     has--
       (1) been home to the 28th Bomb Wing and some of the most 
     impressive aircraft in the United States, including the B 17 
     Flying Fortress, the B 29 Superfortress, the RB 36 
     Peacemaker, the B 52 Stratofortress, the KC 135 Stratotanker, 
     KC 97 Stratofreighter and the B 1B Lancer; and
       (2) for parts of 4 decades, served as an important cog in 
     the missile defense system of the United States, featuring 
     the Titan and Minuteman missile systems;
       Whereas Ellsworth Air Force Base continues to evolve and is 
     preparing to welcome the MQ 9 Reaper mission later in 2012; 
     and
       Whereas, Ellsworth Air Force Base and the communities of 
     Rapid City and Box Elder, South Dakota have and will continue 
     to enjoy a long standing, mutually beneficial relationship: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes the contributions of Ellsworth Air Force 
     Base to the security of the United States;
       (2) commemorates 70 years of excellence and service by 
     Ellsworth Air Force Base to the United States; and
       (3) encourages the people of the United States to recognize 
     and honor the dedicated and exemplary service of the airmen 
     and their families, past and present, stationed at Ellsworth 
     Air Force Base.

                          ____________________