[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 11, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H2288]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE'S 92ND AFW FIGHT FOR FREEDOM

  (Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take time to 
recognize the men and women of Fairchild Air Force Base in my home, 
eastern Washington.
  Last week, the 92nd Air Refueling Wing welcomed home the last plane 
from Manas Transit Center in Kyrgyzstan. For nearly a decade, the Manas 
Transit Center was home away from home for these men and women. And 
every day, Fairchild's tankers would launch out of Manas and then 
refuel the warplanes supporting coalition troops on the ground.
  Day in and day out, these gas stations in the sky gave fighters more 
time over their enemy targets and saved American lives. These crews 
provided lifesaving fuel for fighters when Osama bin Laden was found.
  As the KC-135s and the airmen are returned to Fairchild, we must not 
forget those we lost. Last spring, Captains Mark Voss, Tori Pinckney, 
and Tech Sergeant Tre Mackey died in a tanker crash in Kyrgyzstan. I 
pray for peace for these families and give gratitude to these 
incredible airmen who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
  Thank you to all the leaders and community members at Fairchild Air 
Force Base for their dedication to our country over the last 9 years. 
God bless you.

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