An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
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.

SECAF tours AOR premier airlift wing

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Vincent Borden
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley discussed the Air Force vision with members of the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing on Oct. 14 at an air base in Southwest Asia after gaining insight into the diverse mission capabilities of the wing.

The secretary toured the base for much of the day, delving into the specifics of the Raven B unmanned aerial vehicle and uniform and armor equipment handled by the logistics readiness squadron before addressing a theater packed with Airmen.

"It's been 15 years since I had the privilege of previously serving as your acting Secretary of the Air Force, and it's great to be back," said Secretary Donley, to the cheers and applause of Airmen of the wing. He later mentioned that even though he gets a lot of good status reports in Washington, "It's always great to get out in the field and see the Airmen at work to really validate just how good you really are."

The secretary discussed the development of an Air Force strategic picture with Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz, concentrating on where the Air Force is presently, and where the service is headed into the future. Secretary Donley also talked about the Air Force's contribution to the Global War on Terror, which will be one of his main focuses as Air Force secretary.

Specifically, focus will remain on increasing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in many different ways, including joint service operations.

"The ISR capability we're bringing to the fight, the armed overwatch capability that's available to the ground forces whenever they want it, those things have brought new capabilities to joint warfighting that the U.S. has never had before," Secretary Donley said.

The secretary's travels have given him an encompassing look at the intricacies and capabilities of AFCENT, many of which are present in the missions of the 386th AEW. He highlighted many of them, including the fact that "airlift capability and the time distance between the battlefield and home is shorter than it has ever been."

"We have the highest survival rate for wounded Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines that we have had in the history of any conflict in the U.S.," Secretary Donley said. "If you get wounded in this theater, there is an aeromedical evacuation system in place brought to you by the Air Force that is second to none, and it is a marvel to see. The standard of care is higher, the time to get back to home station is shorter if you're wounded, and those are very good metrics for the capability we bring to the fight."

Secretary Donley spoke in depth about the new unmanned aircraft system capabilities and how they are operating at unprecedented levels. He also talked about the importance of the nuclear enterprise and its value to the Air Force, and to the nation. He noted that a new road map for the Air Force will debut soon, and that it is designed to bring a singular focus back on the nuclear mission.

In an open session forum that followed his opening remarks, Secretary Donley fielded questions from the audience of Airmen, including one from Master Sgt. Margaret Calhoun, 386th AEW Ground Safety manager, who asked about how recent events in the country's financial situation may affect personnel programs for servicemembers in the future.

"Right now I can tell you that you've been very well supported by the Department of Defense and Congress," Secretary Donley said. "They've supported the [Global War on Terror] funding and record levels of spending in our Air Force-level budgets. Within that, you're getting strong support for your personal benefits and your pay, with a 3.9 percent raise just approved by Congress, and new G.I. bill legislation within the last year. So I feel you're getting pretty good support from Congress on the personnel side."

Secretary Donley also gave a message directly to the Airmen of the 386th AEW on their own individual mission contributions, thanking them for what they're doing every day, and how what they accomplish contributes to the total effort of the Air Force in its operations against terror around the world. The secretary ensured them that he would continue to be the best advocate he could be for them.

"The Air Force is providing all kinds of enabling capabilities for the joint warfighter, and you all are performing a range of those missions, providing joint service solutions to our brothers and sisters in the Army and supporting all kinds of other related missions at Camp Bucca and elsewhere that help the war in its totality," Secretary Donley said.

"When you put all of that in a total force, I can now go back to the Secretary of Defense and say 'Mr. Secretary, with all respect to the Global War on Terror, the Air Force is all in,'" the secretary said.