SECAF confirms Pacific bases will support C-17s, F/A-22s
PACAF News
Release Date: 11/22/2002
By Senior Airman Celena Lea'l 15th Air Base Wing public affairs
HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii - The secretary of the Air Force talked about Air Force hardware coming to the command during his first troop call in the Pacific with a visit to Hickam Nov. 16 - 20.
Dr. James Roche, SECAF, spoke of Pacific bases supporting C-17s, F/A 22s and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and possibly having these aircraft forward deployed to the command.
While in the Pacific, the secretary will visit Kadena Air Base, Japan; Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea and Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. He will eat Thanksgiving dinner with the Wolf Pack at Kunsan.
Traveling with Roche is Nelson Gibbs, the assistant secretary of the Air Force for installations and logistics, who is going to each base to look at the infrastructure and prioritize projects. Roche says he wants to make sure that Gibbs is well informed about each base and makes sure that the issues in the Pacific theater are taken seriously.
This year's increase in the Defense Authorization Act recently signed by the President will help out many programs and projects in the Pacific, according to Roche.
Regarding infrastructure, Roche said the MILCON asked for was for sustainment because "we want to fix things before we start building new ones," he said.
Congress responded to the request with terrific support, the secretary said.
"Our major programs like the F/A-22 were supported fully, and the C-17 was more than supported fully," Roche said. "The only [infrastructure] money, for the most part, was for facilities that will be required for the systems like the C-17 or a F/A-22. In the next year's budget, we'll try and move some of the infrastructure improvements, especially here in the Pacific, up a little bit. Make them happen a little faster so that we can have things done before the year 2010.
The secretary also mentioned the importance of C-17s and F/A 22s being forward based in the Pacific, the need for better family housing and improvements to quality of life programs as some of his priorities.
"The C-17 is a remarkable plane [especially] as a part of our mobility airbridge to Southwest Asia," Roche said. "The next thing is having them pre-positioned and working out of Hawaii like they are forward deployed. And that means they are ready to move a lot more quickly as the alternative of them coming from the mainland.
"We'll also will have another pool of maintenance technicians, which is nice to have here," he said. "When you think of the airbridge in the Pacific and recognizing that we do take the Pacific very seriously means that the C-17s will have a full maintenance facility at least at the unit level."
Another issue Roche discussed was how quality of life encompasses many things including the work and home environment.
"For those on active duty, we are trying to make strides in family housing, for instance, the privatization here at Hickam," he said.
"We are reinvigorating and reinforcing the educational programs for our enlisted as well as officer," he said. "We have many of our enlisted airmen in great responsibilities and we are trying to acknowledge that."
An example the secretary gave was the eight Air Force sergeants who were recently enrolled in the Air Force Institute of Technology. These airmen are earning their Masters Degrees at Air Force expense.
Airmen who are looking into reenlistment are encouraged by Roche to look at how much they are needed.
"You are really needed by our country," Roche said. "You have done magnificently during Operation Enduring Freedom. Secondly, you have shown that you can make a contribution to society that is highly valued and appreciated."
"If you don't stay active duty, hopefully we'll see you in the Reserve or the Guard, he said.
"I believe we want our airmen to understand that it's a career in the Air Force and we'll give them chances to develop themselves as human beings. We hope to give them educational opportunities that will go beyond anything that they otherwise might be able to achieve. And, they'll have a sense of self worth. It's an old-fashioned thing - it's nice to be needed."
For the airmen of Hickam, their importance is unique.
"The airmen of Hickam, of course, live with the shadow of great history," Roche said. "They serve each and every day, they are reminded of war like no others in our Air Force who serve in the United States. Therefore keeping the flame of vigilance alive in their hearts is something that they probably should do more than the others and remind all the rest of us."
The stop in Hawaii gave the former naval officer a chance to revisit some memories of his active duty time in Hawaii and let today's airmen know that their hard work is very much appreciated.
More than 3,000 Air Force active duty and civilian members packed Hangar 7, here, to listen to the secretary's plans for the Air Force.
The ceremony began with Roche presenting Gen. Bill Begert, Pacific Air Forces commander, with an organizational excellence award for Pacific Air Forces' contributions to the Air Force from April 1, 1998, to March 31, 2001. The secretary also presented the Bronze Star to Lt. Col. Donald Derry, 15th Security Forces Squadron commander, for his leadership and contributions to the War on Terrorism while serving as the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing coalition defense force commander in Kyrgyzstan.
During his visit, Roche said that he wanted to let everyone know how important each person's part in the war is and that all of their hard work is appreciated.
Roche commented on how the ceremony really captured one of the things that brought him here, which was to say thank you.
"I also say thank you on behalf of my counterpart (Gen.) John Jumper, (the Air Force Chief of Staff)," Roche said. "Thank you for what you do with Operation Noble Eagle and for the things you work with the protection of the Hawaiian Islands. A special thank you for what you have done for Operation Enduring Freedom.
Roche commented on the importance of air power to the War on Terrorism especially in Afghanistan.
"In Afghanistan, we are fighting in a landmark war, fighting in a landlocked country," Roche said. "Everything that has to be taken in to our troops has to be flown in and it's because of you it gets there." (PACAFNS)
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
