[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Page 8801]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    RHODE ISLAND ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

  Mr. REED. Madam President, I rise today to recognize the Army 
Aviation Association's top National Guard aviation unit for 2005. Since 
1969, the Army Aviation Association has presented this award to the 
best Army National Guard aviation unit. Indeed, it is a great honor to 
represent the State of this year's winner, the 1st Battalion, 126th 
Aviation Regiment of the Rhode Island Army National Guard.
  The 1st of the 126th has a long and distinguished history. Tracing 
its roots back to 1930 and the 68th Field Artillery Brigade, the 1st of 
the 126th was founded as a field artillery unit and later transitioned 
to medical care specialists. But in the 1960s, the unit was reorganized 
into an aviation unit. Since that time, it has performed with 
extraordinary professionalism and skill in its role as an aviation 
unit.
  Deployed to Iraq from January to December of 2005, the 1st of the 
126th served as the core of Task Force Dragonwing during Operation 
Iraqi Freedom. Task Force Dragonwing, based out of Balad Airbase north 
of Baghdad, was the lead force responsible for conducting combat 
support aviation operations through the entire Iraqi theater. They 
accumulated over 16,000 hours of combat mission flight hours during 
nearly 2,000 missions while transporting 66,000 passengers and 5,000 
tons of cargo. During their tour, they flew 46 missions in direct 
action against known or suspected anti-Iraqi forces, and 22 missions 
were subjected to known surface-to-air fire, with 7 aircraft receiving 
battle damage. Throughout the professional performance of their duties, 
no members of the unit were killed or seriously injured.
  The 1st of the 126th is comprised of 457 soldiers who man and 
maintain 24 UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and 12 CH-47 Chinook 
helicopters. Their mission is to perform air assault and movement 
operations and to provide command, control, supervision, staff 
planning, and logistical support to all units affiliated with the 
battalion.
  During one of my visits to Iraq, I had the great honor and 
opportunity to fly with them, to observe their unit firsthand. In fact, 
I was honored to be accompanied by GEN John Abizaid, whose comments 
about their skill and professionalism brought great pride to me and all 
Rhode Islanders. This unit was ably commanded by COL Chris Callahan and 
was led by soldiers, pilots, and crew members with great skill and 
courage and professionalism.
  I was, indeed, honored and thrilled to be with them in Iraq, to see 
their operation, to see the contribution they made to our effort in 
Iraq. The 1st of the 126th has proven itself an exceptional unit and 
deserves to be selected by the Army Aviation Association as the top 
aviation unit for 2005. They have served their country with honor. We 
are all proud of their service, in the State of Rhode Island and 
throughout the Nation. Indeed, it is heartwarming to see them being 
recognized nationally for their great success, their great service to 
the Nation, and their great professionalism. I commend Colonel Callahan 
and all the officers and personnel of that unit for their service, for 
their sacrifice, for their dedication to our country.

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