Manpower, reserve affairs secretary: Airmen, family care is priority

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Desiree Economides
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan (AFNS) --  During his recent trip to Japan, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs Daniel Ginsberg visited here Dec. 1 and 2.

Ginsberg toured facilities to see the services the Air Force provides to Airmen and their families.

"I'm responsible for helping oversee manpower and reserve affairs for the Air Force, so that comes down to how we are taking care of our people across the Air Force," Ginsberg said. 

Military manpower has been highlighted in recent fiscal budget debates. Though he noted of the potential challenges ahead, Ginsberg emphasized the importance of maintaining support for the Air Force family.

"We're going to be a busy Air Force in the future, so I think that could put a lot more stressors on the force," he said. "We will have to make sure we understand what those stressors are and how we need to provide support to our Airmen and their families to make sure we are helping them in every sense."

Though Ginsberg only visited Yokota for a short time, he said he wanted to ensure the Airmen knew they are a top priority.

"We are very proud of them, all of us, from the president to the secretary of defense, to the secretary of the Air Force, the chief of staff and on down," he said. "They are doing absolutely amazing work and we know this. We know how hard they are working and how many great things they are doing.

"Also, as we go through these tough and tougher budgetary times, we have them in the forefront of our thoughts," he added. "We will be thinking about them and how we can make sure we are going through these budgetary straits in a very smart manner that supports them and their families."