WEBVTT 00:02.690 --> 00:04.746 All right , everybody . Good evening 00:04.746 --> 00:06.880 and welcome . Thanks for , thanks for 00:06.889 --> 00:10.369 coming out tonight . I especially want 00:10.380 --> 00:12.909 to thank some of our Qatari hosts who 00:12.920 --> 00:15.600 are here or on their way down from 00:15.609 --> 00:18.129 meeting with General Van Oy . But Major 00:18.139 --> 00:20.361 General Rashad , the Qatari Air defense 00:20.361 --> 00:23.479 Commander is here and Brigadier General 00:23.489 --> 00:26.360 Salah , the quat Ari commander for Al 00:26.370 --> 00:29.979 Yid Air Base is here as well . Also a 00:29.989 --> 00:32.069 special welcome to all of our senior 00:32.080 --> 00:34.909 national reps who are out here and the 00:34.919 --> 00:37.197 non us coalition members and of course , 00:37.197 --> 00:39.729 all the US personnel from Ninth Air 00:39.740 --> 00:42.700 Force and absent that are out here as 00:42.709 --> 00:44.820 well . So I really appreciate you all 00:44.820 --> 00:48.740 joining us . So a couple of things that 00:48.750 --> 00:51.009 I want to say up front to kind of put 00:51.020 --> 00:54.770 this in context for you all . As 00:54.779 --> 00:57.619 many of you know , we have been working 00:57.630 --> 01:01.380 on a , we have been working on a 01:01.389 --> 01:05.000 plan to optimize the absent 01:05.010 --> 01:08.819 staff for a while and to bring the 01:08.830 --> 01:11.319 absent staff that is at Shaw back 01:11.330 --> 01:14.339 together much more closely with the 01:14.349 --> 01:17.230 absent staff and the CHAO personnel 01:17.239 --> 01:19.510 that are here and to make us into one 01:19.519 --> 01:21.790 team . And when we originally started 01:21.800 --> 01:24.830 on this journey about a year ago , 01:25.160 --> 01:28.069 we were really thinking of it in a US 01:28.080 --> 01:31.129 context in terms of how do we optimize 01:31.139 --> 01:32.695 the US contribution to this 01:32.695 --> 01:35.269 headquarters ? And what became clear to 01:35.290 --> 01:39.059 us after a period of time is that one 01:39.069 --> 01:41.379 of the things that made our 01:41.389 --> 01:45.269 headquarters unique from other commands 01:45.500 --> 01:48.849 was the coalition nature of this 01:48.860 --> 01:51.279 headquarters . It is the fact that we 01:51.290 --> 01:54.940 have over 200 personnel that are part 01:54.949 --> 01:58.290 of our team that 01:58.349 --> 02:01.040 that , that are essential to our daily 02:01.050 --> 02:04.110 operations as a command , whether 02:04.120 --> 02:06.769 that's contributing to the defeat Daesh 02:06.779 --> 02:09.389 mission , whether it's concerns about 02:09.399 --> 02:11.455 other regional problems and regional 02:11.455 --> 02:13.621 stability , whether it's collaborating 02:13.621 --> 02:15.288 when we're doing humanitarian 02:15.288 --> 02:18.339 assistance , we all do it together and 02:18.350 --> 02:20.128 we do it with partners who have 02:20.130 --> 02:22.809 representatives who are from here in 02:22.820 --> 02:24.931 the region , who have representatives 02:24.931 --> 02:28.029 here or at Shah Air Force Base . And we 02:28.039 --> 02:30.210 do it with other like minded nations 02:30.220 --> 02:32.387 that come from outside the region that 02:32.387 --> 02:34.053 alongside the United States , 02:34.053 --> 02:35.942 understand the importance of this 02:35.942 --> 02:38.679 region and how we need to work together 02:38.690 --> 02:41.779 to ensure its future and its prosperity . 02:42.880 --> 02:46.619 So with that in mind , as we began the 02:46.630 --> 02:48.908 journey of optimizing the headquarters , 02:48.908 --> 02:50.852 it also became clear to us that we 02:50.852 --> 02:53.190 didn't have a way to capture that 02:53.199 --> 02:56.350 partnership in any of our paraphernalia . 02:56.360 --> 02:58.710 If you will , any of the patches , any 02:58.720 --> 03:01.559 of the coins that we had , etcetera . 03:01.929 --> 03:05.350 So if you think about absent , we 03:05.360 --> 03:07.550 really have three roles and we wanted 03:07.559 --> 03:09.837 to make sure that we captured them all . 03:09.837 --> 03:12.309 The first role is we're ninth Air Force . 03:12.320 --> 03:14.487 Ninth Air Force is a United States Air 03:14.487 --> 03:16.653 Force Command . It's been operating in 03:16.653 --> 03:20.339 this region since World War II , but it 03:20.350 --> 03:22.619 is a United States Air Force command 03:23.720 --> 03:26.119 when Ninth Air Force is given to 03:26.130 --> 03:28.019 General Carilla , the joint force 03:28.019 --> 03:30.699 commander for the region . Ninth Air 03:30.710 --> 03:33.729 Force becomes Air Forces central but 03:33.740 --> 03:36.639 it's US air forces Central . It's a US 03:36.649 --> 03:39.679 Air Force command now a joint command 03:39.699 --> 03:42.339 in the Middle East that now has our 03:42.350 --> 03:45.419 partnership with our army , our Navy , 03:45.429 --> 03:47.485 our Marine Corps and our Space Force 03:47.485 --> 03:50.220 personnel who comprise that a sent team 03:50.229 --> 03:52.470 under Krill as the joint force 03:52.479 --> 03:54.839 commander . But General Carilla has one 03:54.850 --> 03:58.059 more role and that's the combined force 03:58.070 --> 04:00.237 commander or the coalition commander . 04:00.237 --> 04:02.348 So in addition to being the commander 04:02.348 --> 04:04.237 of us central command , he is the 04:04.237 --> 04:06.639 commander of Combined Forces command 04:06.649 --> 04:10.479 central . And so he has a couple of 04:10.490 --> 04:13.479 different hats that he wears very 04:13.490 --> 04:15.657 similar for the Navy . They have fifth 04:15.657 --> 04:17.657 fleet , they have nav sent and they 04:17.657 --> 04:19.989 have a combined maritime force . We 04:20.000 --> 04:23.179 also have that here in absent . We have 04:23.190 --> 04:25.399 our Air Force hat of Ninth Air Force . 04:25.410 --> 04:27.354 We have our joint and combined hat 04:27.354 --> 04:30.220 again in a US context that's absent , 04:30.420 --> 04:33.059 but we're also a combined Air Force for 04:33.070 --> 04:35.339 the region . And we've been working on 04:35.350 --> 04:38.119 getting the participation of our 04:38.130 --> 04:40.352 coalition teammates who are embedded or 04:40.352 --> 04:42.200 who liaise with us more deeply 04:42.209 --> 04:45.369 integrated into that headquarters . And 04:45.380 --> 04:48.290 so what we're here to do today is 04:48.299 --> 04:50.670 unveil an emblem that reflects that 04:50.679 --> 04:52.846 partnership and frankly , in my mind , 04:52.846 --> 04:54.790 it's long overdue . We have been a 04:54.790 --> 04:57.640 coalition command for 30 years , really 04:57.649 --> 04:59.649 going all the way back more than 30 04:59.649 --> 05:01.910 years to Desert Storm . We will be a 05:01.920 --> 05:04.850 coalition command for the future . We 05:04.859 --> 05:06.692 are always going to operate in a 05:06.692 --> 05:08.692 combined manner here . We're always 05:08.692 --> 05:10.859 going to be working together . Some of 05:10.859 --> 05:13.081 us will work together in some areas and 05:13.081 --> 05:15.192 others will work together in others . 05:15.192 --> 05:17.137 But it's always going to be a team 05:17.137 --> 05:20.170 sport here for us today . So with that , 05:20.179 --> 05:22.401 I appreciate you all being here for the 05:22.401 --> 05:24.401 grand unveiling of the combined Air 05:24.401 --> 05:27.049 Force's Central shield and I will turn 05:27.059 --> 05:30.429 it over to our shield unveil to come 05:30.440 --> 05:32.559 forward and do the honors and then 05:32.570 --> 05:34.737 we'll talk about what it means . Thank 05:34.737 --> 05:34.309 you . 05:52.549 --> 05:54.890 This shield , not only is a reflection 05:54.899 --> 05:56.732 of our past achievements , but a 05:56.732 --> 05:59.029 promise for the future . A promise to 05:59.040 --> 06:01.600 continue working hand in hand to foster 06:01.609 --> 06:04.410 dialogue , build trust and strive for a 06:04.420 --> 06:07.200 future marked by security , prosperity 06:07.209 --> 06:10.720 and mutual respect . Ultramarine blue 06:10.730 --> 06:12.952 and Air Force , yellow , the dominating 06:12.952 --> 06:15.450 colors of the emblem signify the vast 06:15.459 --> 06:18.559 sky where we operate the celestial blue 06:18.679 --> 06:20.809 represents the limitless horizon . We 06:20.820 --> 06:23.750 constantly strive to reach a reminder 06:23.760 --> 06:26.209 of our unending pursuit of excellence 06:26.220 --> 06:28.929 and innovation . Air Force yellow 06:29.609 --> 06:32.279 resonating with the excellence required 06:32.290 --> 06:35.079 of all Air force personnel captures the 06:35.089 --> 06:38.450 beauty of the sun and desert . A symbol 06:38.459 --> 06:40.910 of nature and goal in the Arab world 06:40.989 --> 06:44.000 together . They form a vibrant tapestry 06:44.010 --> 06:46.450 that illustrates our domain . Our duty 06:46.570 --> 06:49.720 and our dedication , the color green 06:49.730 --> 06:52.100 pays homage to the land and symbolizes 06:52.109 --> 06:54.279 the positive connotations associated 06:54.290 --> 06:58.279 with Islam . It represents respect , 06:58.290 --> 07:00.660 unity and understanding for the diverse 07:00.670 --> 07:03.309 cultures within our coalition . It is a 07:03.320 --> 07:05.450 salute to the rich heritage and the 07:05.459 --> 07:07.403 spiritual connections that bind us 07:07.403 --> 07:09.070 together in friendship and in 07:09.079 --> 07:12.299 partnership . Our shield also features 07:12.309 --> 07:14.920 the white star with a blue center on a 07:14.929 --> 07:16.940 blue circular field . A symbol 07:16.950 --> 07:19.179 authorized for use over a century ago . 07:19.769 --> 07:22.010 This star is a testament to our Air 07:22.019 --> 07:24.239 Force's heritage . A connection to our 07:24.250 --> 07:26.839 past and a beacon guiding us into the 07:26.850 --> 07:30.049 future . It reflects our enduring 07:30.059 --> 07:33.679 legacy of valor integrity and honor 07:34.059 --> 07:36.226 principles that have guided us through 07:36.226 --> 07:38.281 history and will continue to lead us 07:38.281 --> 07:41.380 forward . The sun . An emblem within 07:41.390 --> 07:44.299 the shield portrays our coalition air 07:44.309 --> 07:47.519 component , sheer might and power like 07:47.529 --> 07:49.600 the sun that never falters . In its 07:49.609 --> 07:52.850 course , we too stand unyielding and 07:52.859 --> 07:55.779 resolute . The sun symbolizes energy 07:55.790 --> 07:58.359 vitality and our unwavering commitment 07:58.369 --> 08:00.980 to protect our skies , our people and 08:00.989 --> 08:04.380 our values . Our 08:04.410 --> 08:06.839 coalition is a unique tapestry of 08:06.850 --> 08:09.559 nations working together with a shared 08:09.570 --> 08:12.429 purpose and vision . We stand shoulder 08:12.440 --> 08:14.750 to shoulder united in our resolve to 08:14.760 --> 08:17.309 foster peace , stability and prosperity . 08:17.750 --> 08:20.200 Our partnerships extend beyond military 08:20.209 --> 08:23.089 collaboration . They encompass cultural 08:23.100 --> 08:25.519 understanding , mutual respect and they 08:25.529 --> 08:27.473 share a commitment to humanitarian 08:27.473 --> 08:30.359 values . We are no longer multiple 08:30.369 --> 08:34.088 separate teams . We are one team led 08:34.098 --> 08:36.568 from a single combined headquarters 08:36.648 --> 08:38.598 carrying out the mission as one 08:38.809 --> 08:42.409 operating across the globe . Every one 08:42.419 --> 08:44.888 of you bring something unique and 08:44.898 --> 08:47.440 invaluable to our mission . The new 08:47.450 --> 08:50.039 emblem and the patches are not mere 08:50.049 --> 08:52.950 tokens . They are a testament to what 08:52.960 --> 08:56.780 we are as a united force , an overdue 08:56.789 --> 08:58.809 acknowledgement that our embedded 08:58.820 --> 09:01.320 coalition personnel are an integral 09:01.330 --> 09:04.919 part of our team together . We achieve 09:04.929 --> 09:08.780 mission success . And now a word 09:08.789 --> 09:11.530 from our lead , Snr sir . Introduce 09:11.539 --> 09:12.539 yourself . 09:19.469 --> 09:21.358 Good evening , sir . Good evening 09:21.358 --> 09:23.770 everybody . I'm Colonel Emilio Fano . 09:24.270 --> 09:28.010 And as was mentioned , I'm the lead and 09:28.020 --> 09:30.239 I have the privilege tonight to make 09:30.250 --> 09:33.809 this speech , General Green Kovich , 09:33.820 --> 09:36.280 dear SNRs , ladies and gentlemen , good 09:36.289 --> 09:39.799 evening , sir . To begin on behalf of 09:39.809 --> 09:42.142 the old SNRs that I represent right now . 09:42.409 --> 09:44.409 I would like to express our sincere 09:44.409 --> 09:47.099 appreciation to you and all your staff 09:47.109 --> 09:50.030 for inviting us and our team . It is 09:50.039 --> 09:52.489 indeed an honor for me , especially to 09:52.500 --> 09:55.330 be here today and have the opportunity 09:55.340 --> 09:57.390 to speak at this special ceremony . 09:58.340 --> 10:00.710 This is more than a ceremony because 10:00.719 --> 10:03.530 the aming reflects the cultivation of 10:03.539 --> 10:05.989 trust and collaboration between all our 10:06.000 --> 10:08.479 nations . As you were saying before , I 10:08.489 --> 10:10.600 believe that the unveiling shield has 10:10.600 --> 10:12.859 many meanings that I would like to 10:12.869 --> 10:16.510 share with you to begin unified vision . 10:16.520 --> 10:18.859 What do I mean about that ? The New 10:18.869 --> 10:21.099 Shield symbolizes the coalition shared 10:21.109 --> 10:23.760 commitment to peace and security , 10:23.770 --> 10:26.239 strengthening ties between coalition 10:26.250 --> 10:28.960 forces and regional partners in absent 10:29.929 --> 10:32.151 interoperability . What do I mean about 10:32.151 --> 10:33.873 that ? The show represents our 10:33.873 --> 10:35.559 collective efforts to ensure 10:35.570 --> 10:38.390 interoperability among coalition forces 10:38.590 --> 10:40.257 and a essential component for 10:40.257 --> 10:41.960 successful joint and combined 10:41.969 --> 10:45.200 operations . Cultural understanding . 10:45.440 --> 10:47.619 By working closely together , we 10:47.630 --> 10:49.739 develop a deeper appreciation of our 10:49.750 --> 10:51.940 partners perspectives and values , 10:51.950 --> 10:53.909 enhancing mutual respect and 10:53.919 --> 10:57.239 understanding . Innovation is a force 10:57.250 --> 10:59.659 multiplier . The commitment to 10:59.669 --> 11:02.539 innovation , embodying Ushi design will 11:02.549 --> 11:05.979 foster technological and advance our 11:05.989 --> 11:08.260 capabilities and keep ahead of 11:08.270 --> 11:10.750 potential enemies , responsive 11:10.760 --> 11:12.840 operation . The cohesion within the 11:12.849 --> 11:15.039 coalition ensures quick and effective 11:15.049 --> 11:17.469 responses to emerging challenges , 11:17.750 --> 11:20.390 bolstering the stability and security 11:20.400 --> 11:21.400 of the region . 11:24.130 --> 11:27.700 Moreover , reserves , optimization 11:27.710 --> 11:29.869 combined efforts facilitate the 11:29.880 --> 11:32.000 efficient use of resources , enabling 11:32.010 --> 11:34.570 nations to achieve more together than 11:34.580 --> 11:37.789 they could do individually . And sir , 11:37.799 --> 11:40.500 during our speaking , speaking on 11:40.510 --> 11:42.288 Monday , you were talking about 11:42.288 --> 11:44.454 deterrence and defense . So I will say 11:44.454 --> 11:46.679 that our United Front acts a strong 11:46.690 --> 11:48.690 deterrent to potential aggressors , 11:48.690 --> 11:51.450 displaying our readiness to act in the 11:51.460 --> 11:54.679 defense of our shared values and 11:54.690 --> 11:56.780 interests . Of course , inspiring 11:56.789 --> 11:59.090 future partnerships . The unveiling of 11:59.099 --> 12:01.179 the new shield sets a very important 12:01.190 --> 12:03.460 example for further cooperation , 12:03.469 --> 12:06.099 inspiring other nations to join in 12:06.109 --> 12:08.229 partnership and furthering global 12:08.239 --> 12:11.830 security . Finally , the shield stands 12:11.840 --> 12:14.062 as a lasting symbol of our own wavering 12:14.062 --> 12:16.099 commitment to each other , ensuring 12:16.109 --> 12:18.520 that future generations understand the 12:18.530 --> 12:20.586 importance of partnerships , cos and 12:20.586 --> 12:23.000 innovation in security , peace and 12:23.010 --> 12:26.599 stability . To conclude together the 12:26.609 --> 12:28.720 coalition and absent will continue to 12:28.720 --> 12:31.380 build upon those principles to create a 12:31.390 --> 12:33.260 more secure , prosperous and 12:33.270 --> 12:35.590 interconnected region . The unveiling 12:35.599 --> 12:37.650 of a new combined forces , Central 12:37.659 --> 12:40.150 shield is more than a symbolic gesture . 12:40.190 --> 12:42.246 It is a tangible reminder of what we 12:42.246 --> 12:44.710 can achieve through unity and 12:44.719 --> 12:47.340 innovation . I would say in a few , in 12:47.349 --> 12:49.710 a very few words , one , team , one 12:49.719 --> 12:51.386 fight . Thank you very much . 12:59.979 --> 13:03.340 Thank you , sir . Mhm . We will now 13:03.349 --> 13:05.293 have closing remarks by Lieutenant 13:05.293 --> 13:06.293 General Kovich . 13:09.669 --> 13:11.869 Ok . I would like to say a couple of 13:11.880 --> 13:14.229 thank yous . First off , as I mentioned 13:14.239 --> 13:16.461 at the beginning , thanks to our Qatari 13:16.461 --> 13:18.572 hosts for joining us , General Rashad 13:18.572 --> 13:20.739 General Saleh . Thank you , especially 13:20.739 --> 13:22.961 for being here tonight . I look forward 13:22.961 --> 13:25.072 to talking to you afterwards , but we 13:25.072 --> 13:27.128 can't do anything that we do here at 13:27.128 --> 13:29.295 this headquarters , any of our members 13:29.295 --> 13:31.350 of the coalition without the support 13:31.350 --> 13:33.517 that you all provide us so very , very 13:33.517 --> 13:35.628 much appreciative of that . And thank 13:35.628 --> 13:35.130 you for joining us here tonight . You 13:35.140 --> 13:38.140 honor us with your presence to all the 13:38.150 --> 13:40.150 SNRs who are here . Thanks for your 13:40.150 --> 13:42.483 continued teamwork , your collaboration . 13:42.483 --> 13:44.650 Every time we get together , I learned 13:44.650 --> 13:46.483 something a great example in our 13:46.483 --> 13:48.261 briefings today and our ops and 13:48.261 --> 13:50.450 intelligence updates . Just tremendous 13:50.460 --> 13:53.500 intelligence , insights from our German 13:53.510 --> 13:56.020 partners and I know that the entire 13:56.030 --> 13:58.252 team contributes to those . So thanks a 13:58.252 --> 14:02.039 ton for that . I'd also like to thank 14:02.179 --> 14:05.679 Sergeant Levi who was narrating here 14:05.690 --> 14:09.640 for us tonight . You know , I tell you , 14:09.650 --> 14:12.359 the guy has a voice for radio . The 14:12.369 --> 14:14.729 folks in protocol that he works with , 14:14.739 --> 14:18.039 say he also has a face for radio , but 14:18.049 --> 14:20.216 I don't think so . I think you do just 14:20.216 --> 14:22.382 fine on TV as well . But thanks Levi , 14:22.382 --> 14:24.605 really well done . I know you put a lot 14:24.605 --> 14:26.827 of work into this . Uh I'd also like to 14:26.827 --> 14:28.827 thank uh , Major Bresson Bred Stick 14:28.827 --> 14:31.049 works in the Commander's Action Group . 14:31.049 --> 14:33.160 He was the project officer for this . 14:33.160 --> 14:36.210 Um And he led the design of this when , 14:36.219 --> 14:38.500 when the idea initially came up to come 14:38.510 --> 14:40.520 up with a shield or a patch that 14:40.530 --> 14:43.450 represented the combined air forces 14:43.460 --> 14:46.070 aspect of this command . I was 14:46.080 --> 14:48.136 expecting a couple of lieutenants to 14:48.136 --> 14:50.080 get together , draw something on a 14:50.080 --> 14:52.080 piece of paper like when you make a 14:52.080 --> 14:54.080 deployment patch or something . And 14:54.080 --> 14:53.880 after a week or two , I'm like , hey , 14:53.890 --> 14:56.000 where's my , where's my patch ? And 14:56.010 --> 14:58.066 then he came in with this and he had 14:58.066 --> 15:00.288 gone through all the efforts of working 15:00.288 --> 15:02.288 with our historian's office . Mr Mr 15:02.288 --> 15:04.399 Mike Gartland , who also played a big 15:04.399 --> 15:06.510 role in this and the Air Force office 15:06.510 --> 15:08.343 of Heraldry to come up with a no 15:08.343 --> 15:10.399 kidding , extremely professional and 15:10.399 --> 15:14.099 Heraldic correct design to represent 15:14.109 --> 15:16.599 what all of us do here together . So 15:16.609 --> 15:18.665 Brett took great work to you and the 15:18.665 --> 15:20.776 entire team for putting this together 15:20.776 --> 15:23.570 uh with that . This is pretty much the 15:23.580 --> 15:25.691 end of the ceremony short and sweet . 15:25.691 --> 15:27.858 There are refreshments in the back . I 15:27.858 --> 15:30.024 think we have cake because no ceremony 15:30.024 --> 15:32.136 is complete without cake and a number 15:32.136 --> 15:34.247 of vegetarian desserts . If you would 15:34.247 --> 15:36.191 indulge me , I would like to get a 15:36.191 --> 15:38.302 photo graph if I could first with our 15:38.302 --> 15:40.524 Qatari hosts , if you don't mind coming 15:40.524 --> 15:42.580 forward and then afterwards with all 15:42.580 --> 15:44.636 the S and R and then we'll break and 15:44.636 --> 15:46.802 we'll appreciate the accent band being 15:46.802 --> 15:48.358 here and providing a little 15:48.358 --> 15:48.265 entertainment for us . So thank you 15:48.275 --> 15:50.497 guys for being out here tonight as well 15:50.497 --> 15:52.619 to the band . Ok . Thanks everybody .