[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16481]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    CELEBRATING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 126TH AIR REFUELING WING

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 23, 2010

  Mr. COSTELLO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to 
join me in recognizing the 60th Anniversary of the 126th Air Refueling 
Wing, Illinois Air National Guard, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.
  The 126th Air Refueling Wing, ARW, traces its origin to the formation 
of the 126th Composite Wing at Chicago's Midway Municipal Airport on 
November 1, 1950. During the 1950's there were a couple of name changes 
for the unit and its home moved between Chicago's Midway and O'Hare 
airports before it was finally designated the 126th Air Refueling Wing, 
received its first KC-97 flying tanker and flew its first air refueling 
mission in 1961.
  From 1967 to 1976, the 126th ARW took part in Operation Creek Party, 
during which they would fly refueling missions in support of the U.S. 
Air Force in Europe. 150 million pounds of fuel was off-loaded to U.S. 
Air Force and NATO aircraft during approximately 600 flights. This 
marked the first time the Air National Guard had performed a continuous 
operation without activation.
  The first KC-135 Stratotanker, the aircraft that is still flown by 
the 126th ARW today, began its service in 1976, at which time the 126th 
ARW began support of the Strategic Air Command. The 126th ARW would 
support U.S. Air Force operations in the first Gulf War and in Kosovo 
as well as respond to the Illinois Governor's call for assistance 
during the 1993 Midwest flooding.
  As part of the 1995 round of Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC), the 
decision was made to move the 126th ARW to Scott Air Force Base and the 
move was completed in 1999.
  After September 11, 2001, the 126th ARW was called to fly missions to 
monitor the skies over major U.S. cities. The wing again was called to 
support U.S. Air Force missions during the first year of Operation 
Iraqi Freedom.
  The mission of today's 126th Air Refueling Wing is to provide air 
refueling support for U.S. and allied nation military forces throughout 
the world. As it has shown throughout its history, the 126th answers 
the call to protect the citizens of Illinois through civil defense and 
disaster relief. The men and women of the 126th Air Refueling Wing 
continue to protect and defend ``Anytime, Anywhere!''
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Wing 
Commander, Colonel Peter Nezamis, and all the service men and women of 
the 126th Air Refueling Wing on their 60th Anniversary and wishing them 
the very best as they continue to provide valuable service to the State 
of Illinois and our great Nation.

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