[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 15915-15916]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE AND THE LEGACY OF 
                       CAPTAIN CHARLES E. YEAGER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KEVIN McCARTHY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 12, 2017

  Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an integral 
component of California's 23rd Congressional District and the U.S. Air 
Force--Edwards Air Force Base--and the life and legacy of Captain 
Charles E. Yeager, who played an essential role in achieving a critical 
milestone in U.S. aviation history.
  This year, the United States Air Force observes its 70th birthday. 
Edwards Air Force Base, the second largest base in the Air Force, has 
long played an important role in the success and development of this 
branch and its weaponry. From the 412th Test Wing to the NASA Armstrong 
Flight Research Center, Edwards has always been a leader in developing 
and testing new technology to ensure that our warfighters operate with 
the most advanced weapons systems and platforms.
  Coincidentally, the Air Force also celebrates the 70th anniversary of 
the very first supersonic flight, which occurred at Edwards Air Force 
Base, this year. Captain Charles E. Yeager became the fastest man in 
the sky on October 14, 1947, when he flew faster than the speed of 
sound in the rocket-powered Bell X-1, high above Edwards and over 
Southern California's famed Mojave Desert. Captain Yeager paved the way 
for a new era of air and space travel on that day and ushered in the 
development and eventual practical use of

[[Page 15916]]

the X-Plane, an advancement that has greatly benefited NASA and the 
U.S. Air Force. I want to recognize Captain Yeager's fearlessness and 
desire for adventure, which was pivotal in advancing American aviation.
  Throughout its history, Edwards Air Force Base has always remained on 
the forefront of various scientific initiatives and discoveries. After 
Captain Yeager broke the sound barrier, pilots at Edwards were 
eventually able to fly at more than six times the speed of sound. 
Additionally, and among many other accomplishments, the very first 
space shuttle mission landed at Edwards on April 12, 1981. As we 
celebrate the Air Force's 70th year, it is important to take a moment 
to recognize the rich legacy and history of installations like Edwards, 
which, having been established in 1933, predates the creation of the 
Air Force itself. Prior to the establishment of the United States Air 
Force in 1947, Edwards was the Muroc Army Airfield.
  I am reminded of Edwards Air Force Base every time I get the 
opportunity to visit the Smithsonian's Air and Space museum here in 
Washington, D.C. The very Bell X-1, in which Captain Yeager broke the 
sound barrier, is displayed in the main hall on the first floor of the 
museum. It serves as a reminder of the critical importance that Edwards 
has played to advance the greater mission of the Air Force.
  I am incredibly grateful for the many men and women who have served 
and currently serve at Edwards Air Force Base. Their creativity, 
dedication, and sacrifice reflects the same spirit that Captain Charles 
Yeager exemplified 70 years ago. Edwards plays an important role in 
California's 23rd Congressional District, and this is due to my 
constituents who work tirelessly to innovate and to further its 
mission. I wish Edwards, and the United States Air Force, many more 
years of innovation and success.

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