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380AEW Article

SECAF gains insight into diverse missions at deployed wing

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Denise Johnson
  • 380th AEW Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley spent the day at the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing here Oct. 12.

The Secretary visited the wing to gain a better understanding of the infrastructure and capabilities of one the Area of Responsibility's most diverse bases.

"I've been looking forward to coming downrange to see how the United States military, and especially the Air Force, has been doing," Mr. Donley said to an assembly of Airmen during his visit.

The 380th AEW Commander, Brig. Gen. H.D. Polumbo, Jr., greeted Mr. Donley on the tarmac as he exited the KC-135R Stratotanker out of Andrews Air Force Base, Md. The United States Central Command's Combined Force Air Component Commander, Lt. Gen. Gary North, and his Command Chief, Chief Master Sgt. Scott Dearduff, joined the entourage for an action-packed itinerary on the one-day visit. General North is also the 9th Air Force and U.S. Air Forces Central commander.

The Secretary's morning tour included a visit to the 380th's tenant unit, the 363rd Training Group. This group hosts and orchestrates aerial exercises and tactical training in both joint and combined fields.

"It's very important to build on relationships with our allies and partner nations," Mr. Donley said. "The training group here is doing a tremendous job of strengthening interoperability while building on combined opportunities to pursue those relationships."

The official party followed up the visit to the training group with a briefing at wing headquarters. General Polumbo discussed the varied missions and the key contributions of the 380th AEW.

"Sir, what we do is fly the tasking order," General Polumbo said. "The 380th supports a mission we are all proud of; it is unique and it is applicable to Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom and Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa.

"We remind our Airmen every day, seven days a week, 365 days a year that the only reason the 380th exists is to fly the tasking order that comes from General North; and we're proud to be able to do that with the great group of Airmen who you will meet today."

The Secretary listened to the wing commander's speech and engaged in dialogue with base leaders. The group shared in discussions regarding the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance mission and the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles launched from this location. Mr. Donley also learned of the wing's contributions to the air battle through aerial refueling and the airborne command and control mission.

"We may be one of the smallest wings in the AOR but we conduct some very dynamic missions. The core of our population is based on four-month deployers who rotate through. We do that in a very aggressive and dynamic manner to ensure we don't miss a beat meeting the ATO," General Polumbo explained.

The commanders provided a comprehensive summary of the wing's varied missions and the purpose of its capabilities. They also gave a thorough overview of the manning and personnel required to keep this base moving forward.

Mr. Donley inquired about the deployed members and the medical care available to the Airmen. He learned about the facilities and services available through the 380th Expeditionary Medical Group.

The Secretary thanked the participants and attendees before departing the headquarters, "I appreciate all you are doing here and the time you've taken to host this visit. I'm looking forward to meeting your Airmen."

After a lunch with Airmen from around the wing, the Secretary viewed some of the aerial assets including state-of-the-art high-altitude unmanned aerial systems and command and control elements on the E-3 Sentry. His visit would not have been complete without a stop at a KC-10 Extender where the crews showed Mr. Donley the platform from which nearly a third of the Area of Responsibility's air-to-air fuel is delivered.

"What do we do?" General Polumbo asked the rhetorical question. "We fly in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa on any given day or night as directed by the CFACC. We're ready to go and we can turn our weight of effort in any way the boss needs it in an incredible display of agility that your Air Force is designed to do. We really believe we're employing America's airpower and we do it in a great way here."

From sharing a meal with Airmen at the dining facility to getting a close-up view of the wing's aerial capabilities, Mr. Donley's one-day itinerary was nonstop. General Polumbo left no stone unturned in providing the Secretary with an overall picture of the wing, its missions and its Airmen.

"This was exactly what I hoped I'd see," Mr. Donley said. "The ability to integrate so many missions and functions at the same time is an impressive aspect of this wing, its leadership and the Airmen."

The distinguished visitor capitalized on his time at the 380th to remind the Airmen that while they are performing critical missions here, he is providing them with critical support at home.

"Thank you for all you do, you have a great mission supporting the joint warfighter. There's no doubt about the purpose of what you're doing here or its' affect downrange," Mr. Donley said. "It's an honor to work with you; and we'll do our best back in Washington to give you all the support you need."