Friedgen First Civilian to Speak at Military Ball
10/15/2003 8:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 15, 2003
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - University of Maryland head football coach Ralph Friedgen has been asked to serve as the guest speaker of this year's District of Columbia Air National Guard Military Ball this Friday in D.C. His appearance is a first for the event as he is the only civilian speaker in its history.
The "DCANG" has a distinguished history in the annals of military success. It features the 113th Wing and is based at Andrews Air Force Base, its home since 1946. Over the years, the 113th Wing has flown nine different fighter aircraft including F-100 Super Sabre in which the unit conducted the first all-Air National Guard deployment to Europe in 1964. Four years later the 113th aviators employed the F-100 in combat in Vietnam following the Pueblo Crisis call-up.
The 113th Wing was also called to active duty during the Korean war, the 1961 Berlin crisis, Operation Desert Storm and most recently Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Wing flew the F-105 Thunderchief for 10 years before it converted to the F-4D Phantom II fighter in 1981. The 113th Wing now flies the F-16C Fighting Falcon. The 113th Wing has been performing Combat Air Patrols (CAP) flights over the Nations Capital since 9/11 as well as performing combat training flights on a daily basis.
There are other units attached to the 113th Wing, the 201st Airlift Squadron flies the C-38 business jet, and the C-40 (Boeing 737) aircraft to support the Air Force, Congressional Delegation, National Guard Bureau and the Department of Defense. The 231st Combat Communication Squadron augments airfield requirements throughout many different areas within the region. The 121st Weather Flight provides observations and forecasting supporting the flying units. Our common goal is to provide our commands with highly proficient, effective, and combat ready fighter, airlift, and support units capable of worldwide employment.
The 113th Wing has recently won its 10th consecutive outstanding unit award which is unprecedented. It has also has been professionally recognized as the best flying unit in the Air National Guard.
