Secretary Gates thanks Kirkuk's Airmen, Soldiers

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Daniel Martinez
  • 506th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
KIRKUK REGIONAL AIR BASE, Iraq (AFNS) --  Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates addressed more than 300 Airmen and Soldiers here Dec. 11. 

"I know some of you are finishing up your tours and I just want you to know how grateful I am for the service that you've rendered," Secretary Gates said. "Your mission here is still critical to preserving the gains of recent years. This post, right on the Kurd-Arab fault line, will be increasingly important in the next several months and your role in fostering cooperation here is essential in ensuring a credible election process and transfer of power."

Secretary Gates then answered questions to address the concerns of the Airmen and Soldiers.

One question focused on the future of Air Force member's advise and assist role with the new Iraqi air force as U.S. forces responsibly drawdown in Iraq.

"I had this same conversation with some of our folks a couple of days ago in Kabul who are advising the new Afghan air force," he said. "I think in both countries, that kind of a role is very likely to continue beyond the end of our combat operations."

Although an agreement has currently not been made, the U.S. could possibly continue a train, equip and advise role to further enable the Iraqi air force, he said. 

Another question touched on what the Air Force's strategic role will be where conditions primarily focus on irregular warfare and the engagement of enemy ground forces, often placing the Air Force in a secondary and supporting role.

"I think the Air Force has an important combat role to play in the future, both in the tactical and strategic arena," Secretary Gates said. "We are probably going to proceed with a long-range strike initiative coming out of the quadrennial defense review. We're looking at a family of capabilities, both manned and unmanned."

The real test for the Air Force in the next 10 months or so is going to be the logistical challenge, the secretary said.

Secretary Gates then highlighted logistical and transportation Airmen as the unsung heroes of these campaigns by the challenges they often face moving equipment and troops from Iraq as well as into Afghanistan.

"This surge would not have been possible in Afghanistan had it not been for some incredibly creative thinking and some hard work on the part of the Air Force Transportation Command and Central Command," he said.

The secretary followed the open floor session by taking photos with and personally thanking each servicemember for their service.

"I think his visit was very positive, particularly by the amount of candor and openness he showed in answering our questions," said Capt. Kenyatta Ruffin, the 506th Air Expeditionary Group chief of safety. "I think the biggest compliment Secretary Gates made to our troops here is the several comparisons he made between the progress and success in Iraq to the desired outcome and plan for Afghanistan."