Wyoming Senate considering resolution to honor U.S. Air Force’s 75th anniversary

CASPER, Wyo. — The 75th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Air Force may soon receive special recognition in Wyoming.

Senate Joint Resolution SJ0005 will recognize and congratulate the Air Force on its anniversary and draw attention to its connection to Wyoming. The bill received unanimous support from the Senate’s transportation committee and was passed by the Committee of the Whole. On Friday, the Senate also passed it on its second reading.

The bill’s text links the Air Force’s heritage to Wyoming, specifically in Casper and Cheyenne, the latter of which is home to F.E. Warren Air Force Base, the “oldest continuously active Air Force base in the nation.” According to the bill, Casper Army Airfield was the site of a “significant training mission of strategic bomber crews” during World War II.

The bill is sponsored by Sen. Brian Boner (R) with co-sponsors Dan Furphy (R), Tara Nethercott (R) and Stephan Pappas (R) in the Senate and Reps. Landon Brown (R), Tony Locke (R), Jared Olsen (R) and Clarence Styvar (R) in the House.

The full text of the resolution follows:

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. SJ0005

Air Force 75th Anniversary.

Sponsored by: Senator(s) Boner, Furphy, Nethercott and Pappas and Representative(s) Brown, Locke, Olsen and Styvar

A JOINT RESOLUTION

for

A JOINT RESOLUTION to recognize and congratulate the United States Air Force on the 75th anniversary of its founding.

WHEREAS, the United States Air Force was founded in 1947 and has had a continuous and active presence in Wyoming since that time; and

WHEREAS, The United States Air Force’s heritage in Wyoming pre-dates the Air Force founding as a separate military branch and includes the significant training mission of strategic bomber crews at Casper Army Airfield during World War II; and

WHEREAS, Francis E. Warren Air Force Base is the oldest continuously active Air Force base in the nation; and

WHEREAS, Francis E. Warren Air Force Base has played a vital role in the strategic defense of the United States and its allies by maintaining the first fully operational Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), the Atlas D, in 1959; and

WHEREAS, Francis E. Warren Air Force Base is home to the 90th Missile Wing, one of three active missile wings currently operating the Minuteman III ICBM and the headquarters of 20th Air Force, which commands all three (3) missile wings; and

WHEREAS, the 90th Missile wing is the only military unit to operate the Peacekeeper ICBM, the most advanced ballistic missile fielded to date which was deployed exclusively in Wyoming; and

WHEREAS, the 90th Missile Wing will continue to play a vital role in the strategic defense of the United States now and into the future and be the first unit to deploy the new Sentinel ICBM; and

WHEREAS, the University of Wyoming has a strong history of supporting the United States Air Force by establishing Air Force ROTC Detachment 940 in 1952 and counting Samuel C. Phillips, the leader of the Air Force’s Minuteman ICBM program, as an alumni; and

WHEREAS, the Wyoming Air National Guard has continuously supported our state and nation since 1946; and

WHEREAS, the Wyoming Air National Guard became part of the Air Force in 1947 and ever since has honorably, ably and faithfully been the “Sword and Shield” for our state and nation; and

WHEREAS, the Wyoming Air National Guard, as the Sword, has played a vital role in guarding the United States and defending freedom in nearly every major conflict and contingency by repeatedly answering the nation’s call in places such as Korea, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Iraq and around the world; and

WHEREAS, the Wyoming Air National Guard, as the Shield, has fought fires on the ground and in the air in Wyoming and throughout the West, mitigated flooding in Saratoga, Fremont county and elsewhere, and most recently provided desperately needed manpower for medical facilities throughout the state during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic; and

WHEREAS, the State of Wyoming is dedicated to memorializing the story of the Air Force through the Wyoming Veterans Museum and Quebec 01 Missile Alert Facility State Historic Site.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING:

Section 1.

(a) The State of Wyoming commends the United States Air Force on its 75th anniversary.

(b) The state of Wyoming acknowledges the strong historic relationship between the United States Air Force and the State.

(c) The State of Wyoming recognizes the significant service that the United States Air Force currently provides in protecting our vital state and national interests.

(d) The state of Wyoming is determined to continue the strong partnership between the State and the United States Air Force.

Section 2. That the Secretary of State of Wyoming transmit copies of this resolution to the President of the United States, to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States Congress, to the Wyoming Congressional Delegation, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Air Force, the Commander of the 90th Missile Wing, 20th Air Force and the Commander of the Air Force ROTC Detachment 940.
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