[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 2]
[House]
[Pages 2194-2196]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING 139TH AIRLIFT WING

  Mr. MARSHALL. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 699) expressing the appreciation of Congress 
for the service and sacrifice of the members of the 139th Airlift Wing, 
Air National Guard, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 699

       Whereas the 139th Airlift Wing (AW), Air National Guard has 
     its roots in the formation of the 180th Bombardment Squadron 
     (Light), which was one of the first federally recognized Air 
     National Guard units in the United States;
       Whereas the 180th Bombardment Squadron deployed in support 
     of the Korean War in December 1951;
       Whereas in 1976, the unit was redesignated as the 139th 
     Tactical Airlift Group (TAG);
       Whereas in 1990, the 139th TAG assisted in troop deployment 
     during Operation Desert Storm;
       Whereas in 1992, the unit was redesignated the 139th 
     Airlift Group (AG);
       Whereas, between 1992 and 1996, the 139th AG supported 
     humanitarian operations in Bosnia, Sarajevo, Africa, and 
     Haiti;
       Whereas in 1995, the unit officially became known as the 
     139th Airlift Wing;
       Whereas, between 1998 and 2004, the 139th AW supported 
     military operations alongside North Atlantic Treaty 
     Organization (NATO) forces as part of Operation Joint Forge 
     in Europe;
       Whereas in 2002, the 139th AW deployed in support of 
     Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan;
       Whereas in 2005, the 139th AW assisted with disaster relief 
     efforts in response to Hurricane Katrina;
       Whereas in December 2007, the 139th AW was enlisted to 
     support efforts in response to a devastating ice storm that 
     struck Northwest Missouri; and
       Whereas the 139th AW hosts the renowned Advanced Airlift 
     Tactics Training Center (AATTC);
       Whereas NATO air forces utilize the AATTC in support of 
     training operations;
       Whereas in 2008, the Headquarters United States Air Force 
     General Officers' Steering Committee approved a Total Force 
     Integration Initiative designating the AATTC as a blended 
     unit of Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve, and Regular 
     Air Force members;
       Whereas in 2008, the AATTC was designated the Mobility Air 
     Forces Tactics Center of Excellence;
       Whereas nearly 2,500 civilians and military personnel from 
     Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas serve selflessly in 
     the 139th AW: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes the exemplary service and sacrifice of the 
     members of the 139th Airlift Wing and their families; and
       (2) commends the members of the 139th AW and their families 
     (and all of the other members of the Armed Forces who have 
     served, or who are currently serving, in support of United 
     States military contingency operations) for their service and 
     sacrifice on behalf of the United States.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Marshall) and the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. 
Jones) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Georgia.


                             General Leave

  Mr. MARSHALL. I ask that all Members have 5 legislative days in which 
to revise and extend their remarks on the resolution under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Georgia?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. MARSHALL. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 699, 
recognizing the service and sacrifice of the members of the 139th 
Airlift Wing of the Air National Guard. I would like to thank my 
colleague, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Graves), for bringing this 
resolution before the House.
  Units of the Air National Guard play a critical role in America's 
wars and major contingencies as well as provide valuable assistance to 
their States in times of crisis. I'm extraordinarily proud of Georgia's 
Air National Guard and the 116th blended wing that's housed at Robins 
Air Force Base. The 139th Airlift Wing has roots in one of the 
federally recognized Air National Guard units in the United States, and 
it continues to be an important part of defense efforts at home and 
abroad.
  The unit deployed in support Operation Enduring Freedom in 
Afghanistan and assisted in troop deployment during Operation Desert 
Storm. In the 1990s, the 139th supported humanitarian operations in 
Bosnia, Sarajevo, Africa, and Haiti. In addition to their efforts 
overseas, in 2005, they assisted with disaster relief efforts in 
response to Hurricane Katrina. Today, thousands of civilian and 
military personnel from northwest Missouri and northeast Kansas serve 
selflessly in the unit.
  The 139th Airlift Wing provides essential support to maintenance and 
growth of the armed services. The unit is home to the Advanced Airlift 
Tactics Training Center that trains U.S. airlift crews and support 
personnel as well as NATO air forces in advanced tactics training.
  House Resolution 699 recognizes the dedication and courage of not 
only the members of the 139th Airlift Wing and their families and 
service to the Nation, but also all of the members of the Armed Forces 
who have served or are currently serving in support of the United 
States military contingency operations. All our servicemembers and 
their families deserve our deepest gratitude and respect.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the exemplary service 
and sacrifices of the 139th Airlift Wing by supporting House Resolution 
699.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. JONES. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in support of House Resolution 699, which recognizes the 
service and sacrifice of the members of the 139th Airlift Wing, 
Missouri Air National Guard. I want to commend my friend Sam Graves of 
Missouri for sponsoring this legislation.
  The 139th Airlift Wing is a remarkably diverse and capable unit. For 
example, one of its major subordinate units is the Advanced Airlift 
Tactics Training Center. That unit exemplifies the total force concept 
because its members come not only from the Air National Guard but also 
from the Air Force Reserve and the active Air Force. They provide 
advanced tactical training to improve the effectiveness and suitability 
of airlift crews from all components of the Air Force--the Special 
Operations Command, the Marine Corps, and 15 allied nations.
  Members of the wing have deployed in support of operations in Iraq 
and Afghanistan, to include providing the security element for a 
Missouri agribusiness development team that returned last fall from a 
year-long mission in Afghanistan. The success of the 139th Airlift Wing 
is directly related to the dedication, sacrifice, and professionalism 
of the nearly 2,500 civilian and military personnel who carry out the 
unit's missions. Their efforts deserve our recognition and thanks. For 
that reason, I urge all Members to support this resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. 
Graves) who introduced this resolution.

[[Page 2195]]


  Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, last July I was humbled and honored to 
introduce House Resolution 699, expressing the appreciation of Congress 
for the service and sacrifice of the members of the 139th Airlift Wing, 
Missouri Air National Guard. Since World War II, the men and women of 
the 139th have been based at Rosecrans Memorial Airport in St. Joseph, 
Missouri, which is in my district.
  First, I want to thank Chairman Skelton and Ranking Member McKeon for 
allowing this important resolution to come to the floor today. And 
further, I want to thank my colleagues who joined me in cosponsoring 
this resolution and helping move forward such an important tribute. I 
would also like to recognize the 139th Airlift Wing's commanders--at 
least those whom I have been able to work with--General Steven McCamy, 
Colonel Davenport, General Stephen Cotter, and, most recently, the new 
commander, Colonel Mike McEnulty. Colonel McEnulty has been a dynamic 
leader in working to continue and expand the role of the Missouri Air 
National Guard, and he is an invaluable resource to my office, our 
military, and, obviously, the St. Joseph community.
  The 139th Airlift Wing, initially designated as the 180th Bombardment 
Squadron, has been serving our Nation proudly since 1946, which makes 
it one of the first federally recognized Air National Guard units in 
the Nation. They have deployed, and it has already been pointed out, 
they have deployed and supported the Korean War, Operation Desert 
Storm, military operations alongside NATO forces as part of Operation 
Joint Forge in Europe, and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. 
And the members of the 139th Airlift Wing have also assisted with 
humanitarian efforts in response to the great flood of 1993, Hurricane 
Katrina, severe storms that struck northwest Missouri in 2007, and most 
recently in response to the devastating earthquake in Haiti.
  In 1984, the 139th Airlift Wing became home to the Advanced Airlift 
Tactics Training Center, which some have already pointed out today. The 
Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center increases the warfighting 
effectiveness and the survivability of mobility forces in a combat 
environment and is utilized by our military and NATO forces from around 
the world. It is used by Reserve units and active duty units.
  It's always interesting, whenever I have the opportunity to travel 
abroad, whether it's to Afghanistan or to Iraq, a lot of times Members 
of Congress would travel with C-17 crews or C-130 crews, and one of the 
things I always ask them is if they've been through the school at St. 
Joe, and 80 percent of the time they say, yes, they have. They've been 
to the Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center, which has taught them 
survivability in those areas.
  Lastly, I want to express my sincere gratitude to the nearly 2,500 
civilian and military personnel from northwest Missouri and northeast 
Kansas which serve selflessly in the 139th Airlift Wing. I commend 
their exemplary service and sacrifice and that of their families and 
that of all other members of the Armed Forces who have served, who are 
currently serving and are supporting the United States military 
contingency operations at home and abroad.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in thanking the men and women of the 
139th Airlift Wing by supporting this important resolution.
  Mr. JONES. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 
699--honoring and recognizing the significant service and contribution 
of the men and women of the 139th Airlift Wing, Air National Guard. I 
would like to pay tribute to their historic past and mission-essential 
present.
  Citizen-soldiers have played a central role in America's defense 
since the first English colonists settled in North America during the 
early 17th century. Subsequently, throughout most of our history, the 
American people have relied upon the militia and National Guard as well 
as volunteers to provide the vast bulk of their militia manpower in 
times of war.
  These citizen-soldiers have also aided their states in coping with 
natural disasters and civil unrest. The dual mission--both state and 
federal--has served as a source of great pride among guardsmen for 
generations and has helped maintain the highest retention statistics 
among reserve components. This close relationship between the Guard and 
the states has also helped knit the fabric of the United States Armed 
Forces as one of the most trusted institutions in the federal 
government. The Air National Guard proudly represents the heritage of 
the citizen airman.
  On 18 September 1947, the Air National Guard was born as an 
independent reserve component of the Air Force. It retained experienced 
aviators, maintainers and support personnel from World War II, allowing 
for a legitimate and ready national defense capability. These sons and 
daughters of America were prepared to defend their country on the front 
lines and the home front.
  The 139th Airlift Wing, a military organization well worthy of 
recognition and praise, has a long and glorious history. Originally 
named the 139th Air Transport Group, it was a derivative of the 180th 
Bombardment Squadron, one of the first federally recognized Air 
National Guard units in the nation, and was allotted to the state of 
Missouri at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base, Saint Joseph, Missouri 
as a part of the Military Air Transport Service.
  It was redesignated as the 139th Military Airlift Group on 1 January 
1966 when the Military Air Transport Service was deactivated and 
superseded by the Military Airlift Command. It was redesignated again 
as the 139th Air Refueling Group on 6 September 1969 within the 
Tactical Air Command; it was a major contributor during the Vietnam 
war.
  The 139th as an organization continued to lead the way in defending 
America as it underwent a series of redesignations, inactivations and 
mission consolidations until its final designation as the 139th Airlift 
Wing on 1 October 1995 assigned to the Air Combat Command. Two years 
later the airlift mission with all C-130 units was changed from Air 
Combat Command to Air Mobility Command.
  The 139th Airlift Wing has a long and outstanding record of getting 
airmen, soldiers and marines, equipment and supplies to and from the 
fight. This was clearly demonstrated with the massive troop deployment 
during Operation Desert Storm which was key in delivering a swift and 
virtually uncontested victory.
  This unit served as the hub while America supported humanitarian 
operations in Bosnia, Sarajevo, Africa, and Haiti. It delivered tens of 
thousands of tons of relief support and medical and support personnel.
  The 139th Airlift Wing deployed in support of Operation Enduring 
Freedom in Afghanistan with 215 missions and provided 918 sorties. 
Additionally, the wing is the host of the world renowned Advanced 
Airlift Tactics Training Center (AATTC). This center, a Total Force 
Integration Initiative, is a combination of Air National Guard, Air 
Force Reserve, and Regular Air Force members, and supports NATO air 
forces training operations.
  The civilian airmen of the 139th Airlift Wing played a considerable 
role in supporting natural disasters and emergencies on the home front 
as well. They provided disaster relief in response to Hurricane Katrina 
and the devastating ice storm that struck Northwest Missouri.
  The 139th Air Wing is currently supporting Operation Coronet Oak in 
Puerto Rico and was vital in the rapid relief to Haiti in support of 
Operation Unified Response. They provided 11 sorties and delivered 
23,000 pounds of cargo to mitigate suffering in the middle of the 
devastated country.
  Once again I am very proud of our Armed Services, especially the men 
and women that make up the 139th Airlift Wing. We pay tribute to our 
civilian airmen force for their courage, sacrifice and patriotism. We 
all owe you a debt of gratitude and our undying support.
  Mr. MARSHALL. Madam Speaker, I certainly hope that the House will 
support House Resolution 699.
  I just want to take this opportunity, on behalf of all members of the 
Armed Services Committee and all Members of the Congress, to thank the 
men and women of our National Guard, whatever branch, for the service 
that you provide this country and particularly the service that you are 
providing this country in our contingency operations. It's a strain on 
you. It's a strain on your families, and we're grateful. The Nation 
owes you. We appreciate your service.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Marshall) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 699, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.

[[Page 2196]]


  Mr. MARSHALL. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

                          ____________________