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Floor Speech

Date: Nov. 13, 2023
Location: Washington, DC

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Mrs. BLACKBURN. On November 10, the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment lost five soldiers when their helicopter crashed during a training flight over the Mediterranean sea. Their names are CW3 Stephen R. Dwyer of Clarksville, TN; CW2 Shane M. Barnes of Sacramento, CA; SSG Tanner W. Grone of Gorham, NH; SGT Andrew P. Southard of Apache Junction, AZ; and SGT Cade M. Wolfe, of Mankato, MN.

In honor of the brave Night Stalkers of 1st Battalion, Charlie Company, I want to recite a few portions of the Night Stalker Creed for the record.

Service in the 160th is a calling only a few will answer for the mission is constantly demanding and hard. And when the impossible has been accomplished the only reward is another mission that no one else will try. . . . I serve with the memory and pride of those who have gone before me for they loved to fight, fought to win and would rather die than quit.

And when the impossible has been accomplished the only reward is another mission that no one else will try. As a member of the Night Stalkers I am a tested volunteer seeking only to safeguard the honor and prestige of my country, by serving the elite Special Operations Soldiers of the United States. I pledge to maintain my body, mind and equipment in a constant state of readiness for I am a member of the fastest deployable Task Force in the world, ready to move at a moment's notice anytime, anywhere, arriving time on target plus or minus 30 seconds.

I guard my unit's mission with secrecy, for my only true ally is the night and the element of surprise. My manner is that of the Special Operations Quiet Professional, secrecy is a way of life. In battle, I eagerly meet the enemy for I volunteered to be up front where the fighting is hard. I fear no foe's ability, nor underestimate his will to fight.

The mission and my precious cargo are my concern. I will never surrender. I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy, and under no circumstances will I ever embarrass my country.

Gallantly will I show the world and the elite forces I support that a Night Stalker is a specially selected and well trained soldier.

I serve with the memory and pride of those who have gone before me for they loved to fight, fought to win and would rather die than quit.

Night Stalkers Don't Quit!

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Mrs. BLACKBURN. On behalf of all Tennesseans, I want to offer my prayers and support to those soldiers' families and to the brave men and women of the 160th. Their motto is ``Night Stalkers don't quit.'' And I would encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting them as they bring the spirit of those words to bear against our enemies around the globe.

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