[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 35 (Tuesday, February 27, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E237]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE MDWFP SPECIAL RESPONSE TEAM

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 27, 2018

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the 
Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks' Special 
Response Team led by Major Dale Bell.
  On July 11, 2017 at approximately 0700 hours, the Mississippi 
Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP) Special Response 
Team (SRT), made up of 36 SRT members and seven conservation officers, 
were deployed to Leflore County, Mississippi, to assist the local 
Emergency Management Agency with the C130 Aircraft crash, where the 
lives of 16 servicemen were lost. After arriving to the Central 
Operation Center, MDWFP was assigned as the lead agency for the search 
and recovery of this mission. The SRT members had a daunting task of 
recovering the remains of four servicemen. But I am proud to say they 
recovered the remains of all 16 servicemen ensuring they would be flown 
home.
  Other responsibilities included, finding 50 missing weapons and 
providing daily supervision to a large number of Marine members on the 
ground. The SRT team demonstrated resilience operating in 105-degree 
daily heat, while handling venomous snakes and infestations of 
chiggers, ticks and mosquitoes.
  This tragic event was the largest aviation accident to happen in 
Mississippi and in the history of the United States Marine Corps. The 
MDWFP SRT's role in the law enforcement community is very important. 
The skills, training, dedication, and technology that they bring to 
deployments are second to none.
  Today, I am honored to recognize these brave public heroes for the 
hard work, dedication and courage they exude each and every day 
protecting Mississippians.

                          ____________________