SENATE RESOLUTION

                         1997-8635

By Senator Haugen

     WHEREAS, It is the policy of the Washington State Legislature to honor meritorious service and to recognize excellence in all fields of endeavor; and

     WHEREAS, On February 28, 1997, the United States Navy retired Attack Squadron 196 and the historic A-6E Intruder bomber that they flew with great pride; and 

     WHEREAS, The naval aviators of Attack Squadron 196 were based at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station; and

     WHEREAS, 86 Whidbey Island crewmen gave their lives in service of their country while flying the A-6E Intruder, including 30 killed in combat; and

     WHEREAS, Attack Squadron 196 flew more sorties and suffered greater losses than any other carrier-based squadron in the Vietnam War; and

     WHEREAS, The Whidbey Island Naval Air Station has served as the training base and home to A-6E Intruder crews and their families for more than 30 years; and

     WHEREAS, The A-6E was a carrier-based bomber designed to evade enemy radar by flying at treetop height in all weather conditions; and

     WHEREAS, The A-6E Intruder was the mainstay of carrier aviation during the Vietnam War, as well as during combat operations in Grenada, Lebanon, Libya, and the Persian Gulf in the 1980s, and in the air war during Operation Desert Storm in 1991,

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate commemorate the distinguished service of the A-6E Intruder bomber; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Senate express honor and recognize the men and women of United States Navy Attack Squadron 196 who maintained and flew this plane for the past 30 years.

I, Mike O=Connell, Secretary of the Senate,

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 1997-8635,

adopted by the Senate March 12, 1997.

MIKE O=CONNELL

Secretary of the Senate