SecAF thanks Airmen during Lajes visit

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Angelique N. Smythe
  • 65th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
LAJES FIELD, Azores, Portugal --  Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley visited Lajes Field Airmen Dec. 18-19 to thank them for their service and countless sacrifices this holiday season.

"During the holidays, please know that all Americans are keeping you and your families in their thoughts and prayers," Secretary Donley said. "We thank you for what you do for our nation and what you do for our Air Force."

The secretary toured several units of the 65th Air Base Wing and spoke with Airmen in all functions and dimensions of the mission here.

During an Airman's Call, hundreds of Airmen warmly welcomed Secretary Donley with loud enthusiastic cheers and applauses, which he said reminded him of the reason he'd been looking forward to his visit with the 65th ABW for several months.

As the Secretary addressed the Airmen, he highlighted why Lajes Field, the crossroads of the mid-Atlantic, was such a strategically important installation.

"Since 2003, thousands of aircraft have transited through Lajes in direct support of global missions in the Middle East, in central Asia, and in Africa as well," he said. "Your work enables the movement of our warfighters, aircraft and global communications to combatant commanders supporting the joint coalition and NATO operations, such as Unified Protector, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. And your critical support to these operations while also promoting regional partnerships is an increasingly strategically important part of our posture going forward."

According to the Secretary, even as the U.S. and it's military continue to go through a time of transition, important areas of progress could be seen through a quick review of the past year's milestones -- "the demise of key al-Qaeda leadership, completing the drawdown of U.S. forces in Iraq, planning for transition in the handover of more security responsibilities to the Afghan security forces and the successful completion of the NATO mission in Libya."

The secretary touched on the current and future challenges of the Air Force.

He mentioned security challenges, which included the fight against al-Qaeda and its global affiliates, as well as other threats, such as nuclear proliferation and cyber terrorism.
He also spoke about financial challenges as the nation works to gain control of the federal budget. This will affect all parts of the federal government, including the Air Force and the Department of Defense, he said.

In efforts to eliminate waste and improve efficiency and effectiveness, the Secretary said, acquisition processes have been improved and the Air Force has already identified $33 billion across the future years defense plan.

"But we know in the current environment, the efficiencies won't be enough," he said. "In early August, Congress approved and the President signed into law a bipartisan debt deal that translates into about $450 billion in DoD budget reductions over the next 10 years. The defense reductions are tough, but they're considered achievable as DoD reviews its roles and missions and examines all areas of our budget for savings."

Secretary Donley said Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta has expressed confidence that servicemembers can implement these reductions while maintaining the excellence of the U.S. military.

"To get these savings we'll need to accept greater risks in some areas," he said. "We'll need to terminate some lower priority programs, streamline others and continue driving efficiency in all of our operations."

Addressing concerns about how policy, budget and strategy decisions will affect Airmen's lives and the Air Force, Secretary Donley highlighted Secretary Panetta's pledge to fight for servicemembers and their families during these budget challenges.

"Taking care of the men and women doing our national security work is job number one," he said. "Along with that comes some responsibility to ensure that your pay and benefit packages are sustainable going forward... We're committed to ensuring that the United States continues to have the world's finest Air Force for generations to come."

As the Air Force's leaders focus on strategic priorities and ways to improve key capabilities in the years to come, Secretary Donley promised they would apply best military judgment and fight against reductions that could cause irreparable harm.

"We're shaping the Air Force today to ensure its strength tomorrow," he said. "In the future, the Air Force will be leaner but it will be fully effective. This means our workforce and installations will look and operate differently.

"Evolving strategic environment and national budget constraints are factors that will continue to test us in the years ahead, but whatever the future may bring, you and all the members of our total force are up to this challenge. We are depending on you. Our Air Force and our country need you to be great at what you do every day. You deserve to be proud of the important work of the 65th you personally do here at Lajes because we are certainly proud of you."

Secretary Donley thanked the Airmen once again and wished them a safe and happy holiday season.