[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 26 (Wednesday, February 9, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E136-E137]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE MEN AND WOMEN OF TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN GARAMENDI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 9, 2022

  Mr. GARAMENDI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and commend the 
service, dedication, and sacrifice of the members of the 60th Air 
Mobility Wing, the 349th Air Mobility Wing, the 621st Contingency 
Response Wing, and their partner agencies at Travis Air Force Base, 
which I have the distinct privilege of representing as part of 
California's Third Congressional District. They exemplify the best of 
America, and their tireless efforts guarantee the safety of all those 
who call America home.
  For eighty years, Travis Air Force Base has stood as a pillar of 
strength, projecting peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and 
providing support to American troops around the world. This mission is 
only accomplished

[[Page E137]]

thanks to the blood, sweat, and fortitude of the 18,000 airmen and 
their families that maintain the highest levels of readiness and 
capability. Every single day this all-volunteer force provides 
essential aerial refueling, airlift operations, aeromedical evacuation, 
highly specialized rapid response contingency operations capabilities, 
and unmatched support to produce and execute rapid global mobility in 
support of our national defense.
  Last year alone the men and women of Travis Air Force Base met a 
challenge of colossal scale when they played a pivotal role in 
completing the drawdown of forces from Afghanistan. Team Travis 
aircrews evacuated 12,962 Afghans while managing security and 
operations at the airport in Kabul.
  The valor and heroism displayed by the men and women of Travis was 
imitable and worthy of recognition. Last month, I spoke with Captain 
Kayleigh Migalesdi, who helped evacuate 117 orphan children from the 
region during Operation Allies Refuge. She spoke about how she would 
have been at the Abbey Gate the moment a suicide bomber killed 13 
Americans had it not been for an orphaned child who needed her 
assistance elsewhere on base. With tears in her eyes, she told me that 
she owed her life to that child, who she later helped reach safety and 
begin a new life. Capt. Migalesdi's story is just one of the many 
stories I heard that exemplify the character, leadership, and bravery 
that is cultivated at Travis Air Force Base. Service records only 
scratch the surface of the courageous actions performed by these men 
and women. They put their hearts and lives on the line to save so many. 
I am grateful every day that I have the opportunity to represent such 
an upstanding community in Congress.
  This total force effort of active and reserve airmen directly enabled 
the largest noncombatant evacuation operation in known world history, 
ultimately saving over 124,000 lives. Simply put, Travis Air Force Base 
is the very best our Nation has to offer. Its strategic importance 
stands as a beacon of hope to our allies and a stern reminder of 
American resolve to our enemies. On behalf of a grateful Nation and all 
the constituents of California's Third Congressional District, I would 
like to thank the men and women of Travis Air Force Base and express my 
sincere gratitude for their sacrifice and contributions to the defense 
of this great Nation.

                          ____________________