Ne National Guard 170th Group 20th Anniversary
Floor Speech
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Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I rise to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the formal partnership between the United States Air Force's 55th Wing and the Nebraska Air National Guard's 170th Group at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. The anniversary occurred on the 3rd of June this year and was the first-of-its kind as the oldest association between the Air National Guard and an active-duty combat-coded Air Force Wing.
The first unit member of the 170th Group is now retired Air Force Air National Guard Major General Rick Evans who arrived at Offutt Air Force Base on June 3, 2002, to set up and command what was initially Detachment 1 of the Nebraska Air National Guard. Later, the 170th Group was formed to expand the mission capabilities of Detachment 1 into two squadrons: the 238th Combat Training Squadron which provided combat aircrew training support for the 55th Wing, and the 170th Operations Support Squadron which provided vital support to 55th Wing missions in the areas of weapons and tactics, intelligence, base operations, weather, and aviation resource management.
The extraordinary 20-year partnership between the 170th Group and the 55th Wing has enabled and sustained combat and sensitive reconnaissance operations supporting the War on Terror and other national missions around the globe. Today, the 170th Group is preparing to expand its mission yet again with two additional squadrons that will expand its aircraft maintenance and intelligence support capabilities.
I am truly honored as a former 55th Wing Commander to have witnessed firsthand the operational impacts of the 170th Group. These outstanding Airmen ensure the daily success of the 55th Wing's demanding global mission and are recognized across the Air Force community for their leadership in forging a world-class Active Duty and Air National Guard partnership.
I salute the visionary leadership of those who designed the 170th Group over 20 years ago and all those who have served in its units to the present day. Congratulations on 20 years of success and the many more to come.
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