SecAF visits Incirlik, meets Airmen

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Krystal Ardrey
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James met with Airmen and visited facilities at the 39th Air Base Wing, here May 6.

James, the 23rd SecAF, hosted a base-wide all-call where she addressed multiple concerns Airmen might have about the increasing mission tempo, taking care of Airmen and maintaining a balance in the Air Force.

"We are an Air Force that is undergoing some significant strains," James said. "But at the same time, we are still, and we will forever be, the best Air Force in the world. First and foremost, that is because of people. Yes, technology is important, but people are first. Certainly all of that message is exemplified by the 43 [U.S. Air Force in Europe] and Air Force-level awards that this wing earned last year."

The visit to Incirlik was one location James visited during her on-going trip across Europe where she addressed challenges and opportunities facing today's Airmen.

"The first priority, for me, is taking care of people; second is striking the right balance between the readiness needs of today and modernizing for our Air Force of the future; and third, particularly in this very tight budget environment, we need to make sure that every dollar counts," said James.

Along with the all-call, where she invited attendees to ask questions, James also spoke with Airmen of all ranks throughout the day. At the end of her visit, she gave the following advice:

"What I would ask of all of you is please, please, please keep doing the magnificent job that you have been doing, and that, I'm certain, you will continue to do. That means focus on the mission, focus on your families, focus on your colleagues and leave the rest of this 'Washington, D.C. scene,' to us."