Indiana-2012-SCR0023-Introduced

_______________________, read first time and referred to Committee on

Introduced

Second Regular Session 117th General Assembly (2012)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION recognizing the 122nd Fighter Wing "Blacksnakes".

Whereas, The 122nd Fighter Wing, located in Fort Wayne, is a group of citizen airmen who serve their state and their country honorably and with great distinction;

Whereas, A four-time recipient of the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, three in the past ten years, the 122nd Fighter Wing is a combat-proven unit that has deployed more than 2,300 personnel to 32 locations since September 11, 2001;

Whereas, Due to its strategic location near several superb, realistic training areas, the 122nd Fighter Wing is invaluable during Air Sovereignty Alert missions with response times of less than ten minutes to major metropolitan areas such as Chicago, Detroit, Cincinnati, and Indianapolis;

Whereas, There is only one other Air National Guard unit in the country that has a longer record of mishap free flight time than the 122nd Fighter Wing, whose safety record dates back to 1989 with more than 72,000 flight hours logged since the last major aircraft mishap, including six deployments of F-16 aircraft to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Southern Watch and Operation Iraqi Freedom;

Whereas, An integral part of the Fort Wayne community, the Base Community Council provides a strong military and community bond that goes beyond a mutual understanding;

Whereas, The 122nd Flight Wing provides services to the community, including Honor Flight support for World War II veterans and aircraft flybys commemorating numerous events statewide, including 4th of July celebrations, Memorial Day events, and the Three Rivers Festival in downtown Fort Wayne;

Whereas, In return, community business leaders provide unparalleled support to the base;

Whereas, The 122nd Fighter Wing plays a major role in stimulating the local economy as well by bringing in approximately 60 million dollars through base pay and entitlements, facilities construction and upgrades, and aircraft sustainment;

Whereas, The 122nd Fighter Wing also provides 24 hour crash, fire, and rescue mutual aid to Fort Wayne International Airport and, through the U. S. Department of Defense STARBASE Program, will educate more than 600 fifth grade students in 2012 in the science, technology, engineering, and math disciplines; and

Whereas, The 122nd Fighter Wing "Blacksnakes" are wonderful neighbors whose dedication and love of country help protect us and ensure that we will continue to live in the land of the free and the home of the brave: Therefore,

SECTION 1. That the Indiana General Assembly acknowledges the many contributions that the 122nd Fighter Wing has made to the Fort Wayne community and the state of Indiana. The General Assembly appreciates 122nd Fighter Wing bravery in time of war and its compassion for all people.
SECTION 2. That copies of this resolution be transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the members of the Indiana Congressional delegation, the U. S. Secretary of Defense, the U. S. Secretary of the Air Force, and the Adjutant General.