[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7092]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO RIDGECREST ARMED FORCES DAY 2011

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KEVIN McCARTHY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 11, 2011

  Mr. McCARTHY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
the efforts by many in the community of Ridgecrest to honor our service 
men and women on Armed Forces Day 2011.
  The City of Ridgecrest is home to the Naval Air Weapons Station 
(NAWS) China Lake. NAWS China Lake was established during World War II 
for the purpose of weapons testing. Since then, NAWS China Lake has 
become the premier weapons development laboratory for the United States 
Navy. Many of my constituents living in Ridgecrest work at NAWS China 
Lake and take great pride in the support they provide to our Nation and 
they are properly recognized for their efforts on this day.
  The 2011 Armed Forces Day is especially significant to the community 
of Ridgecrest because this year marks two significant anniversaries for 
NAWS China Lake and the United States. This year marks the centennial 
anniversary of Naval Aviation. In this anniversary, the Navy will be 
commemorating 100 years of Naval Aviation and honoring a century of 
mission-ready men and women and their many aviation achievements. 
Additionally, this year is significant for veterans of World War II 
because it will mark the 70th anniversary of our Nation's entry into 
that war.
  There have been many significant achievements by the scientists and 
engineers at China Lake. For example, they developed the air-intercept 
missile 9 Sidewinder in 1950. This has become the world's most used 
air-to-air missile technology. Additionally, other rockets and missiles 
developed or tested at China Lake include the Mighty Mouse, Zuni, 
Shrike, Joint Stand-off Weapon and Joint Direct-Attack Munition.
  Considering these two significant anniversaries and their importance 
to the City of Ridgecrest it gives me great pleasure to recognize the 
Ridgecrest community and their efforts there to pay tribute to the 
dedicated men and women who devote their lives to military service.

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