83S20429 JGH-D
By: King of Taylor H.C.R. No. 18
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The men and women of Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene
are celebrating the completion of their fleet of C-130J Super
Hercules aircraft with the delivery of the final airplane on July
25, 2013; and
WHEREAS, The C-130 military transport aircraft is the
versatile workhorse of the American military, capable of landing
and taking off on unprepared runways; first put into service in
1957, generations of these airplanes have since been deployed
around the world transporting troops and cargo to combat zones,
evacuating the wounded, delivering medical supplies and food during
natural disasters, fighting wildfires, and performing search and
rescue operations, among other tasks; and
WHEREAS, On February 8, 1961, the 64th Troop Carrier Wing was
activated at Dyess Air Force Base, initiating a half-century
tradition of providing support to America's defenders all around
the globe; early versions of the C-130 from the base responded to
the Cuban Missile Crisis and delivered supplies to Distant Early
Warning radar sites in the Arctic; later models of the plane from
Dyess have flown missions under fire to Vietnam, Grenada, and
Bosnia; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, the torch has been passed to the
516th Tactical Airlift Wing, the 463rd Airlift Wing, the 7th Wing,
and, most recently, the 317th Airlift Group; more than 17,000
aircrew and maintenance personnel have kept the planes flying over
the years, and between December 2003 and March 2013, Dyess C-130s
were deployed for 3,378 consecutive days in support of operations
in Afghanistan and Iraq, flying more than 95,000 hours and 57,000
sorties; and
WHEREAS, Dyess personnel and aircraft have also provided
invaluable support to many humanitarian missions, supplying famine
relief in Mali, delivering cholera vaccine in the Sudan, airlifting
refugees to safety in Central America and the Middle East,
providing earthquake assistance to Mexico City, Pakistan, and
Haiti, fighting forest fires in the Rockies, and responding to
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita; and
WHEREAS, Since April 2010, the fleet at Dyess has been
replaced with the latest model, the C-130J Super Hercules, and the
delivery of the 28th and final aircraft represents the moment of
"Fleet Complete," not only for the military and civilian personnel
at Dyess, but also for the leaders and citizens of Abilene, who have
steadfastly supported the base's airmen and airwomen and their
families over the years; and
WHEREAS, For 52 years, Dyess Air Force Base and its C-130s
have played a key role in the nation's defense and provided aid and
comfort to countless people in need, and the receipt of the base's
full complement represents a fitting opportunity to celebrate this
legendary aircraft and the men and women who keep it flying; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 83rd Legislature of the State of Texas,
2nd Called Session, hereby commemorate the delivery of the final
C-130J Super Hercules to Dyess Air Force Base and extend to the
base's personnel and supporters sincere best wishes for the future;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Dyess Air Force Base as an expression of high regard by
the Texas House of Representatives and Senate.