An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

380AEW Article

U.S. Defense Secretary thanks 380th AEW deployed Airmen for a job well done

  • Published
  • By By Capt. Cathleen Snow
  • 380th Air Expeditiionary Wing
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  The U.S. Secretary of Defense, Mr. Robert M. Gates, took time out to visit deployed service members at an undisclosed base in Southwest Asia March 11 for a job well done.

After a brief introduction by 380th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, Brig. Gen. Bryan J. Benson, Secretary Gates stepped up to the stage to the rousing applause of approximately 300 Airmen, Soldiers and Sailors.

Secretary Gates thanked the members of the unit for their efforts. He said they are helping to make a difference. "You've flown thousands of sorties providing support for those in action," he said. "And I can tell you, I spent a good part of Tuesday in Helmand and Kandahar provinces, and those men and women on the ground know how much they owe you all for the support you've given them. You save lives every day."

Established in 2002, the 380th AEW is the Air Force's only joint high-altitude intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, airborne command and control and refueling unit which supports the U.S. Central Command's 27-country Southwest Asia area of responsibility.

He also took time to answer various questions posed by service members. They ranged from military healthcare to humanitarian efforts.

Before leaving he left the troops with this thought. He said he thinks Americans have learned at least one lesson from the U.S. experience in Vietnam in the 1960s and 1970s: the Congress and the American people have been able since then to differentiate between their views on the war and on the warrior.

"The good news is there's just tremendous support for the warrior and for veterans as well," he said.

The secretary then asked the service members to thank their families for him.

"You couldn't do what you do without their support back home and I want you to pass along from me personally that we recognize how much they sacrifice and how important their support for you is," he said.

Finally, the secretary shook the hand of every member in the audience and handed him one of his commemorative coins.