[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 141 (Friday, September 2, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E894]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             NE NATIONAL GUARD 170TH GROUP 20TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. DON BACON

                              of nebraska

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 2, 2022

  Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I rise to commemorate the 20th anniversary 
of the formal partnership between the United States Air Force's 55th 
Wing and the Nebraska Air National Guard's 170th Group at Offutt Air 
Force Base in Nebraska. The anniversary occurred on the 3rd of June 
this year and was the first-of-its kind as the oldest association 
between the Air National Guard and an active-duty combat-coded Air 
Force Wing.
  The first unit member of the 170th Group is now retired Air Force Air 
National Guard Major General Rick Evans who arrived at Offutt Air Force 
Base on June 3, 2002, to set up and command what was initially 
Detachment 1 of the Nebraska Air National Guard. Later, the 170th Group 
was formed to expand the mission capabilities of Detachment 1 into two 
squadrons: the 238th Combat Training Squadron which provided combat 
aircrew training support for the 55th Wing, and the 170th Operations 
Support Squadron which provided vital support to 55th Wing missions in 
the areas of weapons and tactics, intelligence, base operations, 
weather, and aviation resource management.
  The extraordinary 20-year partnership between the 170th Group and the 
55th Wing has enabled and sustained combat and sensitive reconnaissance 
operations supporting the War on Terror and other national missions 
around the globe. Today, the 170th Group is preparing to expand its 
mission yet again with two additional squadrons that will expand its 
aircraft maintenance and intelligence support capabilities.
  I am truly honored as a former 55th Wing Commander to have witnessed 
firsthand the operational impacts of the 170th Group. These outstanding 
Airmen ensure the daily success of the 55th Wing's demanding global 
mission and are recognized across the Air Force community for their 
leadership in forging a world-class Active Duty and Air National Guard 
partnership.
  I salute the visionary leadership of those who designed the 170th 
Group over 20 years ago and all those who have served in its units to 
the present day. Congratulations on 20 years of success and the many 
more to come.

                          ____________________