[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 15647]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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     RECOGNIZING LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE ON ITS 60TH ANNIVERSARY

 Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I wish to honor the men and women 
of Little Rock Air Force Base and the surrounding communities for their 
steadfast support, spirit of service, and faithful dedication to the 
defense of our Nation.
  In 1951, community leaders in Jacksonville, AR, and the surrounding 
region began petitioning Congress for the creation of a local air base. 
The needed support was unattainable in the post-World War II 
environment, so supporters took it upon themselves to raise the money 
and purchase the land required for the base. In only 32 days, these air 
base advocates raised more than $800,000, and with the combination of 
purchased and donated land, 6,359 acres were gifted to the U.S. 
Government for the establishment of Little Rock Air Force Base.
  On October 9, 1955, the base officially opened. Since that day, it 
has served as a strategic operating location for numerous mission sets. 
From reconnaissance and bomber alert missions to the ever-present 
readiness of Titan II missile crews, Little Rock Air Force Base stood 
ready. With their cargo aircraft and selfless airmen, the base has 
responded to numerous natural disasters and humanitarian missions. Most 
recently, with the C-130 Hercules, Little Rock airmen have had a 
continuous global presence. From training members of three U.S. 
services and 20 foreign nations to supporting operations on five of the 
seven continents, they embody their motto as ``The Home of Combat 
Airlift.''
  Over the past 60 years, the men and women of Little Rock Air Force 
Base have employed weapons systems covering every key tenant of air 
power. Currently, the base seamlessly blends Active Duty, Air National 
Guard, and Air Force Reserve command personnel into a singular fighting 
machine, taking airmen from initial qualification through graduate-
level training.
  From its inception, Little Rock Air Force Base has been uniquely 
suited to fulfill any mission it is presented. The support of the 
community provides an unmatched strength that cannot be countered by 
any weapon system. The people of central Arkansas have opened their 
hearts and homes for six decades to welcome the men and women of the 
United States military.
  I am proud to represent the men and women of Little Rock Air Force 
Base and the communities who support them. I am grateful for their 
service and dedication and look forward to a future of continued 
success and cooperation.

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