08 LC 36
0907
Senate
Resolution 982
By:
Senators Wiles of the 37th, Thompson of the 33rd, Stoner of the 6th, Hill of the
32nd and Rogers of the 21st
A
RESOLUTION
Commending
the members of the 283rd Combat Communications Squadron of the Georgia Air
National Guard; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
the 283rd Combat Communications Squadron of the Georgia Air National Guard,
located at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta, provides deployable, long range
communication and information capabilities in support of the Air Force and Joint
Forces Command operations around the world; and
WHEREAS,
the 283rd Combat Communications Squadron was awarded its fifth Air Force
Outstanding Unit Award in 2007, just one year after receiving its fourth award
in 2006; and
WHEREAS,
in spite of a unit reduction of nearly 40 percent, this Georgia Air National
Guard unit continues its support of the Global War on Terror; and
WHEREAS,
Georgia´s 283rd Combat Communications Squadron deployed more than 20
percent of its members for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan where unit members
deployed to Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates where they
established central communications hubs vital for command and control for combat
missions in Iraq; and
WHEREAS,
Georgia´s 283rd Combat Communications Squadron has also deployed in support
of Operation Bright Star, a biennial joint coalition exercise in Egypt directed
by the Joint Chiefs of Staff and scheduled by the United States Central
Command; the operation is co-hosted by Egypt and the United States, and is
designed to increase regional involvement in pursuit of improved security and
defense capabilities; and
WHEREAS,
a team of satellite communications specialists from the 283rd Combat
Communications Squadron deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, for more than a year
to set up high speed, secure video and voice communications links from army
forward operating bases; and
WHEREAS, the Dobbins based Georgia Air Guardsmen deployed in support of the First Air Force´s Deployable-Homeland and Air Cruise Missile Defense proof of concept operations in California, an exercise demonstrating a rapidly deployable air defense system designed to protect high profile national targets against cruise missiles and other low flying threats; and
WHEREAS, the Dobbins based Georgia Air Guardsmen deployed in support of the First Air Force´s Deployable-Homeland and Air Cruise Missile Defense proof of concept operations in California, an exercise demonstrating a rapidly deployable air defense system designed to protect high profile national targets against cruise missiles and other low flying threats; and
WHEREAS,
the 283rd´s communications teams deployed to several locations on the West
Coast, providing secure data networking and voice communications and
transmission requirements; and
WHEREAS,
the Air Guardsmen of Georgia´s 283rd Combat Communications Squadron also
played a vital role in restoring reliable communication following the ravages of
Hurricane Katrina and Rita; and
WHEREAS,
the members of this professional, well prepared, and highly trained organization
have shown that they are more than able to respond effectively to crises at home
or abroad, putting their lives on the line for the citizens of this great
nation; and
WHEREAS,
it is abundantly fitting and proper that the contributions of this brave group
of individuals be recognized appropriately.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body commend
the members of the 283rd Combat Communications Squadron of the Georgia Air
National Guard and express their appreciation for the contributions the group
has made to the defense of our nation.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the 283rd Combat
Communications Squadron of the Georgia Air National Guard.