 80 years ago on July 7, 1941, the U.S. Marine Corps activated First Marine Aircraft Group. The first component of First Marine Aircraft Wing, it was based out of Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia. At the time, it was the largest military aviation unit on the East Coast. After the attack at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, 1st Mall moved to Naval Air Station in San Diego on the West Coast and shortly thereafter to Camp Kearney, present day Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. Following the truce of the Korean War in 1950, relocating to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. In 1975, after the Vietnam War, moved to its current home in Okinawa, Japan. I think all units should remember their founding, 1st Mall was founded out of Quantico, Virginia. We are a four-deploy in Okinawa, Japan, so I think it's very important for all the Marines and Sailors in the Wing to understand kind of where you came from, where you've been and where you're at. I flew into Okinawa, I was assigned to BMG-R152 in Fatima. We have so much history, you know, between World War II and Korea, but especially in Vietnam where Marine Corps aviation really kicked butt and I'm proud to have been a member of 1st Marine and 2nd Marine Air Wing to be part of this history. 1st Mall's initial deployment was during World War II at Guadalcanal and later during the Philippine Campaign and the Solomon Islands, providing close air support, reconnaissance, resupply, transportation and medevac capabilities. Supporting in all major conflicts, 1st Mall provided air support during the Korean War, conducted various air operations in Vietnam, also supporting Operation Dury Freedom and Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism. To present day, participating in joint exercises with nations from all over the world, with units based in Hawaii, Iwakuni and Okinawa, always a force of readiness. We stand poised to strike at a moment's notice to seize the initiative. I want to wish every Marine and Sailor in the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing a wonderful 80th birthday.