Rumsfeld: War on terrorism not 'easy, quick fix'
by 1st Lt. Johnny Rea
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs06/11/02 - OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM (AFPN) -- Ridding the world of terrorism is a campaign that will not be won anytime soon, according to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.
"We have to recognize that those states that are harboring terrorists -- and facilitating and encouraging them -- are problems for us equal to the terrorist network problem," Rumsfeld said during a troop call for several hundred U.S. servicemembers deployed to Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. "It is not going to be an easy, quick win."
Rumsfeld's visit to Al Udeid was part of a 10-day trip to Southwest Asia, Europe and the Middle East. It was his first trip to Qatar as the secretary of defense.
"We've been very successful in Afghanistan, as you all know," he said. "It's been a wonderful thing to see the faces on the Afghan people who have been liberated and are able to play music, take off their burqahs, fly kites and go to school, and go to work. For a country that has had such a terrible time these many years to suddenly be free, this has to make all of you that have been involved feel very, very good about it."
The 379th Air Expeditionary Wing at Al Udeid is one of the largest units in the region with a number of support and operational functions. The wing currently flies KC-10 Extenders and KC-135 Stratotankers in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. More than 220 million pounds -- about half of all the fuel off-loaded over Afghanistan -- has been delivered from 379th AEW tankers.
"The task will be a long one," Rumsfeld said. "And it's not the kind of thing where there's a set peace battle and you either win it or lose it. We're going to have to stay at the terrorists wherever they are, find them and loot them out. But we'll win it, let there be no doubt. It started in Afghanistan, but it won't end there."
He said the United States knows there are hundreds of well-trained terrorists located in up to 60 nations around the globe.
"They're hard to find," Rumsfeld said. "They're hiding in caves and tunnels, they're hiding in cities and villages. They're on the move, blending into the communities and yet today, the reality is they have access to enormously powerful weapons and capabilities."
Those capabilities will likely someday include weapons of mass destruction, Rumsfeld said.
"We don't know when it will happen, but we do know the terrorists' networks are actively seeking weapons of mass destruction and we have all kinds of intelligence that confirms that," he said. "And at that point you're not talking about thousands, you're talking about tens of thousands of people killed. So we have a big task and it is so serious a task that it brings a sense of urgency to each of us."
The secretary thanked the desert-clad audience for their dedication and participation in OEF.
"What you're doing on the global war on terrorism is enormously important," he said. "You play a key role. You are separated from families for long periods. We recognize that your families also serve. And our country is enormously fortunate to have each of you. You have my respect and admiration for all you do and I know that I can speak for the American people and express their gratitude as well."
"I thought the troop call was very informative," said 1st Lt. Joy Shuck, a KC-10 co-pilot assigned to the 44th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron here. "He's an excellent speaker and very personable. It was great to hear where he thought the Air Force is going in the future."
