[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 213 (Thursday, December 9, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1346]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THOSE WHO FOUGHT THE HONDA CANYON FIRE

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                         HON. SALUD O. CARBAJAL

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 9, 2021

  Mr. CARBAJAL. Madam Speaker, I want to honor those who served 
diligently to combat the Honda Canyon Fire that occurred on Vandenberg 
Space Force Base, California on December 20, 1977 on its 44th 
Anniversary.
  The Base, which at the time was known as Vandenberg Air Force Base, 
had strategic, scientific, and military significance to our military 
readiness and national security as the Western Space and Missile 
Center.
  In persistently safeguarding the Base, four individuals lost their 
lives. These heroes include the Base Commander Col. Joseph G. Turner, 
the Base Fire Chief Billy J. Bell, the Base Assistant Fire Chief Eugene 
Cooper, and a heavy equipment operator, Clarence McCauley.
  Furthermore, sixty-five active duty, government, civilian, and 
contract workers were injured when they were overrun by the Honda 
Canyon Fire.
  Despite these losses, active duty, government, and contract workers--
augmented with local civilian fire fighting forces--continued to battle 
the flames to prevent the loss of vital military equipment, launch 
facilities, communications sites, and satellite test facilities.
  These personnel encountered an additional seven fire overruns of 
their personnel and equipment. They rescued injured and burned 
personnel, then regrouped to modify their tactics and strategies before 
heroically continuing to fight until the fire was subdued.
  Following this tragic fire, military commanders assessed their losses 
and their response to the fire, prepared a comprehensive mishap report, 
convened a planning group, and prepared an Operation Plan to address 
the findings of the mishap report. They enhanced training, firefighting 
capabilities, and support roles for all base operations groups to help 
manage similar events in the future.
  Unfortunately, the efforts of all those who fought the Honda Canyon 
Fire--whether active duty or civilian--have never been recognized.
  I want to acknowledge the loyalty, integrity, and resourcefulness of 
the active duty, government civilian, and contract workers who assisted 
in fighting this fire. I ask all members of the House of 
Representatives to recognize them for service to their country and 
specifically for their efforts to quell the historic Honda Canyon Fire 
and protect critical infrastructure at the Base, which is located in 
the California's 24th Congressional District and is an asset to the 
community and integral to our national security.

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