Recognizing 100 years of military aviation and expressing continued support for military aviators of the United States Armed Forces.

I thank my colleague from Pennsylvania.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to rise today in support of House Resolution 445, a resolution I introduced earlier this year honoring 100 years of military aviation.

Before I begin my remarks, I would like to thank Armed Services Chairman Skelton, Ranking Member McKeon, as well as Subcommittee Chair Abercrombie and Ranking Member Bartlett.

Mr. Speaker, as a former naval aviator, I have firsthand knowledge of the vital and essential role the airmen of the United States military play in protecting our homeland and strengthening our global alliances.

Given the air superiority the United States enjoys today, it is easy to forget that 100 years ago there was much skepticism about the usefulness of aircraft for our Armed Forces. Shortly after the Signal Corps purchased its first aircraft for military purposes, ``Scientific American,'' a respected publication wrote, ``Outside of scouting duties, we are inclined to think that the field of the aeroplane will be rather limited. Because of its small carrying capacity and the necessity for its operation at great altitude, if it is to escape hostile fire, the amount of damage it will do by dropping explosives upon cities, forts, hostile camps, or bodies of troops in the field, to say nothing of battleships at sea, will be so limited as to have no material effects on the issues of a campaign.''

One hundred years later, American courage, ingenuity, and innovation have proven them very wrong. We have come a very long way since Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Theodore Roosevelt, recommended that the Secretary investigate Professor Samuel Langley's so-called ``flying machine'' and report on its potentiality for use in combat.

The earliest planes were open-cockpit, single-seat mounts, and the only weapon was a sidearm and perhaps a few bricks that could be dropped on the enemy. During World War I, America's first military aviators wrote their instruction manual as they lived it and created traditions that are still honored and followed today.

In the aftermath of Pearl Harbor, America's airmen delivered the first moral victory of World War II. Flying B-25s from the deck of the Aircraft Carrier Hornet 400 miles from the shore of Japan, Colonel Jimmy Doolittle and the Knights of the Air struck back and struck back hard. And less than 2 months later, U.S. military aviation changed world history at the Battle of Midway.

In 1947, Congress and President Truman wisely recognized the important role our country's airmen play on the battlefield and established the United States Air Force, a new, separate branch of military service.

From the hills of Korea, where our newest branch rose to the occasion and won 10 out of every 11 air engagements, to the jungles of Vietnam, where the ingenuity and versatility of our military aviators were tested like never before, the stories of the valor and the courage displayed by our country's airmen throughout our history are too numerous to tell.

On September 11, 2001, as F-16s were flowing low over Washington, D.C. and our country entered a new, unconventional war against an unknown enemy, America's brave airmen were on duty ready to defend. Whether pinpointing enemy fighters along the ridges of eastern Afghanistan from the cockpit of a P-3 Orion, manning a C-17 to deliver needed supplies to our troops on the ground, or operating strategic air strikes with a Predator drone from thousands of miles away, today in Iraq and Afghanistan our military aviators remain on guard.

General Curtis Lemay once said, If we maintain our faith in God, love of freedom, and superior global air power, the future looks good. And, today, as we look back on 100 years of military aviation in the United States of America, we honor the heroes of military aviation and thank them for the shining path they created for our country. Indeed, the future looks good.

I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 445.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 445) recognizing 100 years of military aviation and expressing continued support for military aviators of the United States Armed Forces, as amended.

I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on the resolution under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume.

I rise to support House Resolution 445 and thank my colleague from Texas (Mr. Olson) for introducing this measure.

This resolution recognizes 100 years of military aviation and expresses continued support for military aviators of the United States Armed Forces.

As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I am privileged to

be joined here today by a number of my colleagues in the House to recognize the service, sacrifice, professionalism, and commitment of all those who serve and have served our Nation as aviators in the United States Armed Forces.

Our Nation's military aviation began on August 2, 1909 when the United States Army accepted its first aircraft built by the Wright brothers. Military aviation quickly expanded to the other services. Less than 2 years later, in 1911, the Navy ordered its first aircraft. Marine Corps aviation had its inception in 1912 when the first Marine Corps officer reported for duty at the Naval Aviation Camp in Annapolis, Maryland, and qualified as a pilot less than 3 months later. Coast Guard aviation began in 1916, when its first officer received orders for flight training.

World War I focused more attention on aviation. Despite a combat record of only 9 months, February-November 1918, the Air Service made a respectable showing during World War I. The 740 American aircraft assigned to squadrons at the front on November 11, 1918, Armistice Day, represented little more than 10 percent of the total aircraft strength of Allied nations, but the Air Service had conducted 150 separate bombing attacks.

World War II began an enormous expansion of military aviation. The U.S. Army Air Forces strength in World War II would swell from 26,500 men and 2,200 aircraft in 1939 to over 2.2 million men and 63,000 aircraft by 1945. Similarly, U.S. naval aviation began the war with one small and seven large aircraft carriers, about 5,200 aircraft and about 27,000 men. During that war, this force grew to over 100 carriers of various types, over 40,000 aircraft, 160 airships, and 60,000 pilots.

After World War II, President Truman signed the National Security Act of 1947, which created today's Department of the Air Force. Since World War II, military aviation forces have played major roles in such conflicts as the Korean and Vietnam Wars, as well as all major humanitarian and combat operations. America's first seven astronauts were all military aviators, paving the way for future decades of American leadership in space.

Today's military aviators have been engaged in Operation Noble Eagle since September 2001, Enduring Freedom since October 2001, and Iraqi Freedom since March 2003, and are performing with valor, distinction, and steadfast commitment to accomplish this mission.

As a Representative of the Ninth District of the State of Washington, I would also like to take a moment to especially note McChord Air Force Base. Their service is part of the Air Mobility Command, primarily flying C-17s and serving our country across the world.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to honor 100 years of air service in the military. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of House Resolution 445 to recognize those 100 years of military aviation and express continued support for military aviators of the United States Armed Forces.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a proud cosponsor of H. Res. 445, a resolution recognizing 100 years of military aviation and expressing continued support for the military aviators of the United States Armed Forces.

Military aviators have had a long history of defending our nation at home and abroad, as well as supplying humanitarian assistance throughout the world. From the very first military purchase of the Wright Military Flyer in 1909, we have been privileged as a nation for the service of the world's best aviators, as well as the finest platforms in which they fly. In fact, the most technologically advanced fighter jet in the world is the F-22A Raptor--proudly manufactured in the 11th District of Georgia which is my honor to represent. Throughout both World Wars, the Vietnam War, and Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom, aviators have been a critical component to successful combat from establishing air superiority to providing invaluable logistical and intelligence support to the Armed Forces.

Mr. Speaker, we must take a moment to recognize the communities around the nation that lend support to these aviators and their families. Again, I am proud to mention Marietta, Georgia, which is in my district and is home to Dobbins Air Reserve Base. The 94th Airlift Wing at Dobbins is part of the Air Force Reserve Command and provides the Department of Defense with exceptional C-130 Hercules training and combat-ready units ready to

deploy on short notice to support more than 10,000 guardsmen, reservists, and civilians at the world's largest joint air reserve base.

With our military engaged in two wars, this chamber must take the opportunity to express thanks to all of our military aviators and other troops abroad who have defended our homeland and the values and ideals we espouse as a nation. I believe that the brave men and women who sacrifice for our present freedoms deserve our fullest support. Our nation's service men and women represent the best our country has to offer, and they must be treated with the respect and honor they deserve. As we ask these courageous soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines--and their families--to do more and more, it's only right we continue doing all we can for them. Recognizing 100 years of military aviation is just one reminder of the superior job our troops perform for America at home and abroad, and it is my hope that we will continue to do all we can and more for the members of our Armed Forces.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, at this time, I would like to yield to my colleague from Texas, who served as a naval aviator, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Olson), for as much time as he may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 445, which was introduced by my friend from Texas (Mr. Olson). As I added earlier, he served as a naval aviator. We appreciate his service.

This resolution recognizes 100 years of military aviation and expresses continued support for our military aviators in the United States Armed Forces.

As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I am proud to speak in strong support of this resolution that honors the service, sacrifices, professionalism, and commitment of all those who have served as aviators.

For the last 100 years, the fact of the matter is that whether in times of peace or war, whether in Iraq or Afghanistan or somewhere else in the world, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week military aviators are always engaged, putting their lives at risk to protect our country. So I am honored to speak in favor of this resolution, and I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H. Res. 445.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.