Recognizing the 90th Missile Wing

Floor Speech

Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, today I wish to honor the 50th anniversary of the 90th Missile Wing stationed at Frances E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, WY.

For the past half century, the dedicated men and women of the 90th Missile Wing have served with unwavering dedication to the security of our Nation. Known to their fellow airmen as the ``Mighty Ninety,'' this wing, with its five groups, displays excellence and commitment to the mission.

On July 1, 1963, the 90th Strategic Wing came into existence amid growing tensions with the Soviet Union. Protecting our national security throughout the Cold War and into present day, the 90th Missile Wing provides our Nation's best, most reliable, most accurate strategic deterrent. Tasked with deterring an attack, the missile wing has worked extensively with the Minuteman I and Minuteman III systems, as well as encompassing the full lifecycle of the Peacekeeper Missile. Today, these men and women maintain and protect our Minuteman III resources 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year--truly placing service to our country above all else.

The 90th Missile Wing has been named the best Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Wing the past 2 years, earning the Blanchard Trophy in 2011 from U.S. Strategic Command and the Williams Trophy in 2010 and 2012 from Air Force Global Strike Command. The men and women who serve in the Mighty Ninety are second to none. Airmen from the 90th have gone on to serve our Nation in the Pentagon and international conflict zones. Additionally, just this month, the wing was turned over to its first female commander, Col. Tracey Hayes. Colonel Hayes has committed to continuing the standard of excellence.

At this very moment, there are crewmen out in the missile fields, security teams on patrol, and support personnel of the 90th Missile Wing standing watch, ready to execute. They focus exclusively on their mission to ``provide preeminent combat capability across the spectrum of conflict.'' The Mighty Ninety continue to be an integral part of America's national defense.

Congratulations and a profound thank you to the members of the 90th Missile Wing and their families.

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