Panetta addresses bilateral audience at Yokota AB

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Desiree Economides
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan (AFNS) --  Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta addressed about 200 U.S. and Japanese service members here Oct. 24.

During his speech, Panetta thanked those who are serving and touched on many issues facing the military as well as its future endeavors throughout the world.

"The strength of America lies in the service of the men and women who serve in uniform and have put their lives on the line," said Panetta. "For all that you do, I would like to say thank you for the great service you provide."

Panetta also recognized the combined effort of Japanese and U.S. military forces in the aftermath of the natural disasters in March 2011.

"Close bonds have been forged between our troops and the Japanese in an effort to ensure that this great alliance will always be able to respond, to help the people of Japan, but also the U.S.," he said.

The defense secretary commended the efforts of U.S. service members during the past decade but also acknowledged the challenges ahead.

"We have to continue to confront terrorism, we have to continue to confront nuclear proliferation in Iran and North Korea, we have to continue to fight in a new battlefield called cyber, and we have to continue to deal with rising turmoil in the Middle East," Panetta said.

Panetta also addressed upcoming budget cuts, making clear the priorities that will guide his decisions in this process.

We will protect the best defense in the world and we will not hollow out this force, said Panetta. "I'm not going to just make cuts across the board. We are going to look in areas where we can get efficiencies, where we can eliminate duplication, where we can eliminate overhead and look at all areas to make the best decisions.

"Most importantly, I'm not going to break faith with those that serve in uniform who put their lives on the line time and time again," he said. "I commit to you that I will do everything I can to protect those benefits that were promised to you and to your families."

Though Panetta has already visited Japan on numerous occasions before, this is his first visit to Japan as the secretary of defense. Following his speech, Panetta fielded several questions from the audience then shook hands with and coined each service member in attendance.