[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 19]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 26122]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   TRIBUTE TO 177TH FIGHTER WING OF THE NEW JERSEY AIR NATIONAL GUARD

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT E. ANDREWS

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 28, 2003

  Mr.  ANDREWS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the 177th 
Fighter Wing of the New Jersey Air National Guard. Recently, the 177th 
received the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (AFOUA) for exceptionally 
meritorious service from January 1, 2000 through December 31, 2001. The 
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, established by the Department of 
Defense in 1954, recognizes units that have distinguished themselves by 
exceptionally meritorious service or outstanding achievement that 
clearly sets the unit above and apart from similar units.
  During this two year period, the 177th accomplished its mission with 
a high degree of war readiness and combat capability. The Wing deployed 
highly trained, combat ready personnel in support of Aerospace 
Expeditionary Force 9. They were one of the first units to have its 
aircraft generated with live missiles and ready to fight shortly after 
the attacks on the World Trade Center. In addition to these 
accomplishments, the unit and its members have been recognized for its 
outstanding environmental stewardship, recruiting efforts, and 
community support.
  The 177th is the home to 17 single seat F-16C, Fighting Falcon, 
aircraft and has been located at the Atlantic City International 
Airport in Egg Harbor Township since 1958. However, the 177th traces 
its roots back to September 1917 as the 119th Aero Squadron. The 119th 
Aero Squadron, an active duty training squadron during World War One, 
was demobilized in May 1919. In 1930, the 119th Observation Squadron 
was given federal recognition as part of the 44th Infantry Division, 
New Jersey National Guard, 119th Fighter Squadron at Newark. In 1958, 
the 119th Fighter Squadron moved to the former Navy facility in Egg 
Harbor Township, New Jersey, and was re-designated the 119th Tactical 
Fighter Squadron. In 1962 the unit became the 177th Tactical Fighter 
Group, the 177th Fighter Interceptor Group in 1972, 177th Fighter Group 
in 1992, and finally became the 177th Fighter Wing in 1995. The 177th 
has been activated twice to federal service since World War Two. In 
1961, the unit was called up for the ``Berlin Crisis'' and in 1968 for 
the ``Pueblo Crisis,'' which sent unit members to all corners of the 
globe including Vietnam. Years later, 70 unit members were activated in 
support of ``Desert Storm.'' As the events of September 11th unfolded 
the 177th, through years of preparation, training and commitment 
launched to our nation's emergency and desperate call for help. These 
Air Guard warriors brought with them the character and core values of 
generations of heroic citizen soldiers and airmen. Since October 2001, 
the Wing has had an active involvement in Operation Noble Eagle, 
Operation Southern Watch, Operation Northern Watch, Operation Enduring 
Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
  The 177th's stated mission is ``to be America's premier fighter unit, 
comprised of proud citizen airmen, recognized as superbly skilled and 
motivated, committed to unwavering service to Community, State, and 
Nation.'' In South Jersey, we know that the 177th superbly executes its 
mission every day. Their recognition as one of the best in the Air 
Force serves to confirm their excellence to the rest of the country. I 
am personally grateful to the 177th for its outstanding service to 
South Jersey, the state of New Jersey and the United States. I 
congratulate them on this well deserved honor.

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