[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 84 (Wednesday, May 15, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H3207-H3208]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         CELEBRATING 75 YEARS OF THE 193RD AIR OPERATIONS GROUP

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in 
recognition of the 193rd Air Operations Group in State College, 
Pennsylvania, who celebrated their 75th anniversary on May 2, 2024.
  Established in April of 1949, the unit was initially named the 112th 
Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron. The unit was Federally 
recognized as part of the Nation's reserve defenses.
  A notable alumnus of the squadron is the Honorable Dr. John L. 
McLucas who served in State College during the 1950s prior to becoming 
the Secretary of the Air Force in 1973.
  In January 2016, the 112th Air Operations Squadron was designated the 
193rd Air Operations Group with three subordinate squadrons: the 193rd 
Air Communication Squadron, the 193rd Air Intelligence Squadron, and 
the 193rd Combat Operations Squadron. The three squadrons operate under 
the Air Combat Command.
  Since the redesignation, the unit has sent members to more places 
around the globe than ever before to project

[[Page H3208]]

American air power and to support operations worldwide.

  Since 2010, the Air Operations Group took on its current role 
supporting the U.S. Air Force's central theater as they have completed 
nine deployments in Doha, Qatar.
  During these deployments, the 193rd supported the 609th Air 
Operations Center, conducting operations vital to the global war on 
terror and thwarting al-Qaida, ISIS, and Iranian-aligned aggressors in 
Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria.
  Additionally, the unit assisted in sustaining military operations 
throughout the U.S. Central Command area of operations, including 21 
Nations in the Middle East, Central Asia, and South Asia.
  Mr. Speaker, as the national strategy has begun to focus on defending 
against near-peer adversaries, the 193rd AOG has excelled at staying 
agile, informed, and at the tip of the spear for providing combat 
mission-ready warriors to support operations worldwide.
  The members of the 193rd have most recently supported U.S. Indo-
Pacific Command exercises in line with the national strategy to train 
and meet the increasing threat posed by China.
  Additionally, the 193rd has participated in the Pennsylvania National 
Guard State partnership program with Lithuania, conducting military 
training and readiness with a strategic military ally.
  Mr. Speaker, I personally thank those who previously and currently 
serve the 193rd AOG for their dedication and service to our great 
Nation, and I congratulate them on 75 years of operations.

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