News>SecAF visits, thanks Airmen in Western Europe
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Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley answers questions during a lunch with Airmen from the 496th Air Base Squadron June 17, 2011, in Western Europe. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. John P. Capra)
Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley thanks Staff Sgts. Kaythi Saw and Patricia Harvey June 17, 2011, for their service to the Air Force. Sergeants Saw and Harvey are assigned to the 52nd Force Support Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. John P. Capra)
by Capt. John Capra
313th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
6/20/2011 - WESTERN EUROPE (AFNS) -- Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley visited Airmen serving with the 313th Air Expeditionary Wing and the 496th Air Base Squadron here June 17 to thank them for their service and meet with unit commanders.
Upon Secretary Donley's arrival, he was greeted by Brig. Gen. Roy E. Uptegraff, the 313th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, and Lt. Col. James Romag, 496th Air Base Squadron commander, along with other senior staff members.
During his visit, the secretary spoke with junior enlisted Airmen over lunch and later received a mission briefing from both 496th ABS and 313th AEW senior staff members. The briefing provided Secretary Donley with a detailed update on unit operations and Airman morale and welfare.
In addition, members from both units attended an Airmen's Call where Secretary Donley spoke about the current state of the Air Force and offered his insight into the service's future, citing challenges and opportunities on the horizon.
He also commended members of the 496th ABS and 313th AEW for their exceptional performance in support of the Air Force's mission.
"All of you have shown individually and collectively what our Air Force team can do and you have demonstrated our readiness to ramp up operations on very, very short notice," Secretary Donley said.
