SECAF declares new complex officially open

Lt. Col. Susan Ferrera provides Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne a guided tour of the Blatchford-Preston Complex Community Mall during the grand opening festivities Feb. 5 in Southwest Asia. The community mall houses a base exchange, recreation center, game room, theater, movie rooms, post office and learning resource center. Colonel Ferrera is the 379th Expeditionary Services Squadron commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Andy Dunaway)

SECAF declares new complex officially open

One of the most junior residents to move into the new dormitories, Staff Sgt. Jennifer Harms, receives a key from Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne during the grand opening festivities of the Blatchford-Preston Complex Feb. 5 in Southwest Asia. Sergeant Harms is the NCO in charge of training at the 379th Civil Engineer Squadron, Readiness and Emergency Management section. She is deployed from the 183rd Fighter Wing, Springfield, Ill., Air National Guard. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Andy Dunaway)

SECAF tours base, discusses current issues

Published Feb. 10, 2008
By Senior Airman Carolyn Viss
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- The Secretary of the Air Force visited Southwest Asia Feb. 5 to meet with Airmen here, discuss current issues, and view the progress of the base and its assets.

While here, the Honorable Michael W. Wynne toured the Combined Air and Space Operations Center and had breakfast with Airmen there, cut the ribbon at the Blatchford-Preston Complex grand opening, autographed a Joint Direct Attack Munition, saw 379th Air Expeditionary Wing operations fi rst-hand, and spoke to deployed Airmen at the base theater.

"You set the conditions for strategic and tactical victory by bringing the right knowledge, equipment and airpower to any problem you face," Secretary Wynne told the audience. "Beyond our current confl ict, it's our duty to represent social and economic values and structure to people of the world and help them prosper."

Another duty for every Airman, according to the secretary, is to be an ambassador to our host nations and coalition partners.

"We walk with the knowledge of our own freedom. We believe in it. We are a beacon of light to the world," he said.

During an open question-and-answer session, the secretary responded to Airmen's
concerns about tour lengths, quality of life issues and questions about the new Air
Force Cyber Command.

When asked whether this air base would soon become a one-year assignment for Airmen, Secretary Wynne said although that decision has not been made, the current
Air Expeditionary Forces cycle fills the needs of the mission and is beneficial to the war fighter.

"The 120- and 180-day deployment cycles give every Airman a chance to participate in the war" he said. "Getting more people in the rotation cycle benefits our quality of life by ensuring families' needs are taken care of by people who have deployed and who understand your concerns."

On the establishment of the Cyber Command, the secretary said the Air Force has been "doing [cyber warfare], but doing it quietly" for some time. "We need to be ready to go on the offensive," he said. "There's a war going on, on the other side of our computer screens. On one side it's benign, but on the other it's a war zone. We have to dominate that war zone."

Most of all, the secretary thanked the Airmen here for their service and dedication.

"We have a legacy of 60 years of freedom in our skies and that is a legacy to be proud of."