Senate Concurrent Resolution 577

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE GALLANT SERVICE OF THE MEN AND WOMEN OF COMPANY G OF THE 185TH AVIATION OF THE MISSISSIPPI ARMY NATIONAL GUARD FOR THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THEIR MISSION IN IRAQ.

WHEREAS, over 100 soldiers from Company G, 185th Aviation, based in Meridian, Mississippi, were mobilized on January 3, 2004, and traveled to their mobilization station at Fort Benning, Georgia, to train and prepare for their deployment to Iraq; and

WHEREAS, soldiers from Company G deployed to Iraq on February 15, 2004, to begin their mission of providing CH-47 "Chinook" support to the 185th Aviation Brigade Command, "The Catfish Brigade," from Jackson, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, during their tour of duty, Company G transported over 12 million pounds of cargo to support Coalition Ground Forces in Iraq, and transported over 40,000 passengers in the Theater of Operations; and

WHEREAS, Company G flew over 5,995 hours on Company G aircraft and well over 6,200 hours of flight time; and

WHEREAS, Company G conducted 28 aircraft phases; andWHEREAS, Company G provided flight transportation for Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld, other high-ranking individuals and general officers; and

WHEREAS, Company G was called on to transport the top 10 most wanted Iraqi prisoners; and

WHEREAS, Company G provided valuable aircraft flight training to pilots from other states; and

WHEREAS, Company G recently returned to Mississippi from their deployment in Iraq with no casualties or serious incidents; and

WHEREAS, Company G consistently surpasses all training requirements due to the leadership of its command, and consistently surpasses all training requirements due to the professionalism and dedication of its soldiers; and

WHEREAS, Company G remains one of the most critical combat multipliers in the Mississippi Army National Guard; and

WHEREAS, Company G, 185th Aviation will continue its heritage as one of the best trained fighting forces in the Mississippi Army National Guard and proudly protects life and property in the State of Mississippi and defends our nation's freedoms:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the gallant service of the men and women of Company G of the 185th Aviation of the Mississippi Army National Guard upon the successful completion of their mission in Iraq, and extend to them the congratulations of the Legislature for a job well done.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the Commanding Officer of Company G, 185th AVN, and the Adjutant General of the Mississippi National Guard, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.