[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 13186-13187]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     OFFERING GOOD LUCK AND A SAFE RETURN TO GROTON'S 1109TH AVCRAD

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 19, 2008

  Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, today, nearly 150 members of the 1109th 
Aviation Classification Repair Activity Depot of the Connecticut 
National Guard are preparing for the unit's second deployment abroad to 
Iraq. Although my duties in Washington prevent me from joining the 
send-off ceremony today in Groton, I want the members of the 1109th 
AVCRAD, and their families, to know that all of Connecticut is proud of 
them and look forward to their safe return.
  Connecticut's AVCRAD plays a critical role in supporting our 
military. The unit provides maintenance and logistics for aircraft and 
equipment help to 14 across the Northeast states and supports 
Connecticut's fleet of Black Hawk helicopters. Last year, I had the 
chance to visit their facility and see their operations up close. I 
walked away from that experience deeply impressed with the 
professionalism, skill and dedication they have for their mission.
  Overseas deployment is not new to the AVCRAD. Yet, as we know all too 
well, any military deployment is hard not only on our men and women in 
uniform, but also on their families and loved ones waiting at home for 
them to return. In my visit last year, I was briefed by the unit's 
leadership about the scope and impact that this deployment will have 
not only on the unit as a whole, but also on the families of those 
preparing to deploy.

[[Page 13187]]

As I did then, today I continue to offer my unconditional support and 
assistance to them and their families throughout the length of this 
deployment.
  I am proud to represent the 1109th AVCRAD in Congress. I join 
Connecticut's Adjutant General, Major General Thaddeus Martin, the 
unit's commanding officer, Colonel Tom Boland, and the people of 
southeastern Connecticut in wishing the 1109th AVCARD good luck and 
eagerly awaiting their safe return.

                          ____________________