[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 212 (Tuesday, December 15, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S7498]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE 389TH FIGHTER SQUADRON

  Mr. COTTON. Mr. President, the U.S. Air Force's 389th Fighter 
Squadron--known, respected, and feared around the globe as the 
Thunderbolts--flew downrange from the 366th Fighter Wing at Mountain 
Home Air Force Base in Idaho to support Operations Inherent Resolve and 
Spartan Shield from October 2019 until June 2020. Led by Lt. Col. Rod 
``Brick'' James, the squadron of F-15E Strike Eagles deployed to the 
United States Central Command area of responsibility for the fight 
against the Islamic State.
  During its historic combat deployment, the T-Bolts employed 263 
munitions of myriad types during over 2,600 sorties and a record 13,000 
combat hours throughout CENTCOM. Demonstrating the rapid, agile, and 
lethal characteristics of airpower, the 389th executed close air 
support for troops in Syria and Iraq. In addition to CAS, the Squadron 
Weapons section loaded the first Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile, 
AGM-158, expended in combat by the 366th Fighter Wing, for just one of 
a host of special missions. All the while a deterrent, the T-Bolts 
stood ready to defeat Iranian aggression if the call came. Finally, 
they stayed in the fight 50 percent longer than planned to ensure 
COVID-19 did not cause any loss of support to those who needed Strike 
Eagles overhead.
  Throughout their deployment, the men and women of the 389th Fighter 
Squadron and Aircraft Maintenance Unit performed exceptionally under 
intense combat pressures executing a new, highly mobile deployment 
construct during a pandemic. The Thunderbolts represent the best 
America has to offer. They ride hard, shoot straight, and always speak 
the truth. I join all grateful Americans in congratulating this 
outstanding team on a job well done. Banzai.

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