[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Page 7474]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       MONTANA AIR NATIONAL GUARD

  Mr. BAUCUS. The National Guard is proving to be the backbone of our 
efforts to protect America overseas, as they continue to play a pivotal 
role in homeland security. I saw this first hand 3 weeks ago when I 
spent a day working on the flight line with the 120th Fighter Wing of 
our Air National Guard in Great Falls, MT.
  While doing pre-flight checks on F-16s and helping the ground crew 
with their maintenance tasks, I gained a new appreciation for the 
Guard's contribution to our communities.
  Two-thirds of Montana's Air National Guard is made up of part-time 
citizen soldiers and their sacrifice is not going unnoticed. I am proud 
that I have the opportunity to reemphasize their contribution here 
today, in particular, since the Air Guard has recently made us very 
proud in Montana.
  Under the leadership of Colonel Mark Meyer, our 120th Fighter Wing 
has been honored with three national awards for 2004--the Air Force 
Outstanding Unit Award, the Outstanding Security Forces Squadron of the 
Year Award, and the Maintenance Group Effectiveness Award.
  The Air Force Outstanding Unit Award recognizes the exemplary 
achievements of the entire 120th Fighter Wing. On short notice the Wing 
deployed more than 200 airmen to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing at 
Balad Air Base, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and at 
home they activated 185 people to fight Montana's second largest 
wildfire season on record.
  The Air Force also bestowed an award on the Wing's Security Forces 
squadron, under the direction of Squadron Commander Major Donald 
Mahoney. They were honored with the Air National Guard Security Forces 
Unit Award.
  Among their standout achievements was the logistical support they 
provided to the South Dakota Air National Guard Security Forces while 
their members conducted field training exercises at Fort Harrison in 
Helena. And, once again, our guardsmen operated on short notice.
  Their Combat Arms Specialists performed weapons qualifications for 
over 300 personnel in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. They 
completed these tasks while protecting the Northern border between 
Montana and Canada and collaborating with Montana's local, civil, and 
military emergency services agencies.
  Under the leadership of Maintenance Commander Lieutenant Colonel 
Kendall Switzer, the members of the 120th Fighter Wing Maintenance 
Group earned the Air National Guard's Maintenance Effectiveness Award 
for their extraordinary aircraft maintenance.
  Their hard work and expertise supported three important missions: 
Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Alert Detachment at March Air Reserve base 
in California, and the Combat Air Patrol Missions of Operation Nobel 
Eagle.
  I offer a tremendous ``Well Done'' to the Air National Guard. Thank 
you to your families, friends, employers and communities. The nation 
appreciates you and in Montana we are proud of our 120th Fighter Wing.
  Congratulations!

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