[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 15876]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      IDAHO'S VERY OWN GUNFIGHTERS

 Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I would like to recognize a 
nontraditional Idaho community that although a Federal installation, is 
as much a part of our State as any other community. The Mountain Home 
Air Force Base Gunfighters support and execute our military air mission 
worldwide while devoting time and energy to improve the quality of life 
on base and off.
  In the 1940s, Mountain Home Air Force Base was established and over 
the next few decades took on many different Air Force missions 
including bombers, fighters, tankers, and even intercontinental 
ballistic missiles for a short time. As the needs and overall mission 
of the Air Force has evolved over the years, Mountain Home has followed 
suit, proven to be a site of flexibility and superior support, 
operations, and training. Wings based at Mountain Home have provided 
air support all around the world and, in times of need like September 
11, here at home. The capabilities of the personnel, facilities, 
resources and organizations at Mountain Home have always been 
characterized by flexibility, readiness and immediate and forceful 
global deployment in a tightly controlled and effective command and 
control environment. Exercising their skills and military 
professionalism, Gunfighters have not only fought the battles but 
participated in reconstruction and humanitarian missions in the current 
conflict in the Middle East as well as other places around the globe 
where innocent people are suffering from the evils of poverty, economic 
oppression, and the tragedies of natural disasters.
  In a similar way, Gunfighters have proven to be able to ``deploy'' to 
the community on base and off at a moment's notice when duty calls. 
Last year alone, volunteers worked on base more than 100,000 hours 
valued at $1.5 million. Many of these individuals already have more 
than full-time work in the military but have found the time to make a 
difference to others expecting no compensation. Stories abound of 
emergency assistance given by members of the military to civilians in 
Idaho. Recently, two jet fighters escorted a disabled civilian aircraft 
to safety, averting a possible crash and fatality. Another form of 
giving that is particularly important to the troops who are deployed is 
donating blood. I am proud to say that in the recent Armed Forces blood 
drive, Mountain Home Air Force Base more than doubled its goal and 
donated a total of 265 units of blood that was shipped directly to 
Iraq. In addition, the base sent 60 units of a special blood product 
designed to promote quick clotting to our mobile medical units. What a 
terrific example of fellow soldiers and families lending aid and 
comfort to our military men and women across the world.
  I offer my sincere thanks and gratitude to our very own Idaho 
Gunfighters, both at Mountain Home and deployed. You make Idaho 
proud.

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