SecAF visits Incirlik Air Base

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman William A. O'Brien
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley visited with Airmen here during a visit to Turkey Dec. 19-21.

Donley toured multiple units throughout the base, to include the Medical Group, Logistics Readiness Squadron, Operations Squadron, and the Incirlik Unit School. The secretary also dined with Team Incirlik members and held an All Call.

Donley hosted the All Call to discuss current Air Force issues and answer questions from the standing-room-only audience.

"It is a privilege for me to be here with you today and thank you in person for your service to our nation and to our Air Force," Donley said. "When you put on this uniform, you became part of the finest Air Force the world has ever known."

The secretary said it was especially important for him to visit Incirlik's Airmen during the holiday season because "our Airmen and our families make countless sacrifices to serve our nation and keep America secure."

Donley also discussed the importance of Incirlik and its role in current operations.

"I don't have to tell you that Incirlik is a strategically important installation," Donley said. "We depend on you to support and protect U.S. and NATO assets and interests, and people throughout Turkey.

"You've obviously been an active participant in our operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya," he added. "An incredible 69 percent of C-17 sustainment cargo bound for Afghanistan and Iraq has come through Incirlik."

The secretary also recognized some significant milestones for the Air Force and the nation over the past year.

"We continue to live in an extremely complex security environment, one that has seen just this year the demise of key Al-Qaeda leadership; a successful completion of the NATO mission in Libya; completing the drawdown of U.S. forces in Iraq; planning for transition [of security operations in Afghanistan] to the Afghan National Security Forces down the road; and the on-going draw down in Afghanistan," he said.

Donley shared his vision for the potential future of Air Force operations.

"We do need to look to the future," said Donley. "As we do that, [United States Central Command] will continue to receive close attention, but we also anticipate more attention will be drawn to the Pacific theater in the decades ahead. So we'll need to increase our engagements, and build and strengthen partnerships in that region as well."

The secretary also addressed the impending defense budget reductions and what they mean to the Air Force.

"I know Airmen are concerned about how policy, budget and strategy decisions are going to affect our Air Force, both in the immediate future and down the road," he said. "In this environment, I must say that we're very fortunate to have Secretary (Leon) Panetta leading the Department of Defense. He's promised to fight for our service members and their families as we face these budget challenges."

The secretary concluded the All Call thanking the Airmen for their service.

"Thank you," he said. "It is an honor to serve with you in the world's finest Air Force."