[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 3]
[Senate]
[Page 4207]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE OREGON AIR NATIONAL GUARD

 Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, today I am proud to join Oregonians 
all across our State in marking the 75th anniversary of the Oregon Air 
National Guard. For three-quarters of a century, thousands of Oregon's 
sons and daughters have joined the Air National Guard, dedicating 
themselves to defense of the Constitution of the United States and 
service to their fellow Americans and Oregonians. Today I want to take 
a moment, here on the Senate floor to thank them for their service and 
for their sacrifices on our behalf.
  The Oregon Air National Guard traces its beginnings back to April 
1941, when a small group of 110 airmen boldly stepped forward and 
volunteered for duty in the months before the U.S. entered the Second 
World War. Initially activated as the Oregon National Guard Air Corps 
123rd Observation Squadron, their first mission was to conduct maritime 
surveillance of the continental United States following the attack on 
Pearl Harbor. In 1947, following the allied victory in World War II, 
Congress officially established the U.S. Air Force as a separate 
military service, apart from the U.S. Army, and designated the Air 
National Guard as a reserve component.
  In the decades since, the Oregon Air National Guard has played a 
vital national defense role in the Korean war, the Vietnam war, the 
Cold War, and in many global operations in the wake of the terrorist 
attacks of September 11, 2001. Today's Oregon Air National Guard units 
include the 142nd Fighter Wing in Portland, the 173rd Fighter Wing in 
Klamath Falls, and the Joint Forces Headquarters in Salem. Oregon's F-
15s serve on guard 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to defend the skies 
above America's western coast. In addition to protecting that airspace, 
Oregon airmen are the sole providers of F-15 flight training for the 
U.S. Air Force.
  But Oregon's airmen and women aren't simply ready to respond in times 
of conflict; they also answer the Governor's call during natural 
disasters to protect Oregonians from floods, forest fires, volcanic 
eruptions, and medical emergencies. Through the State partnership 
program, Oregon Guardsmen also have played a powerful role to improve 
relations with our State's partners in Vietnam and Bangladesh. In doing 
so, they demonstrate the best of American generosity in communities 
throughout the world.
  The strength of any organization is its people and here the men and 
women of the Oregon Air National Guard, like its counterpart the Oregon 
Army Guard, are at the top of their class. Oregon guardsmen come from 
diverse backgrounds and bring top notch private sector skills to bear 
on behalf of the State and the country. The nearly 2,300 men and women 
now serving in the Oregon Air National Guard contribute to the long 
legacy of volunteerism and community service for which the organization 
is already so well known.
  As a Senator, it has always been one of my highest honors to 
represent the men and women of the Oregon Air and Army National Guards 
in Congress, and as an Oregonian, I am so proud of today's Oregon Air 
National Guard and its rich heritage. It is a privilege to serve these 
heroes--active, retired, and those who have given their lives in 
defense of our nation and helping others. I know I speak for people in 
Oregon, across the country, and around the world when I thank the 
Oregon Air National Guard for 75 years of fabulous service, 
congratulate them on this historic milestone, and wish them continued 
success in the years and decades to come.

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