SECAF gains insight into diverse missions at deployed wing

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Denise Johnson
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) --  Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley spent the day at the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing at an air base in Southwest Asia Oct. 12.

The secretary visited the wing to gain a better understanding of the infrastructure and capabilities of one the Air Forces Central area of responsibility's most diverse bases.

"I've been looking forward to coming downrange to see how the United States military, and especially the Air Force, have been doing," Secretary Donley said to an assembly of Airmen during his visit.

The 380th AEW Commander, Brig. Gen. H.D. Polumbo Jr., greeted Secretary Donley on the tarmac as he exited a KC-135R Stratotanker. The United States Central Command's Combined Force Air Component Commander, Lt. Gen. Gary North joined the group for an action-packed itinerary on the one-day visit. General North is also the 9th Air Force and U.S. Air Forces Central commander.

The secretary's morning tour included a visit to the 380th AEW's tenant unit, the 363rd Training Group. This group hosts and orchestrates aerial exercises and tactical training in both joint and combined fields.

"It's very important to build on relationships with our allies and partner nations," Secretary Donley said. "The training group here is doing a tremendous job of strengthening interoperability while building on combined opportunities to pursue those relationships."

The group followed up the visit to the training unit with a briefing at wing headquarters. General Polumbo discussed the various missions and the key contributions of the 380th AEW.

General Polumbo said, "The 380th supports a mission we are all proud of; it is unique and it is applicable to Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom and the Horn of Africa." 

The secretary also engaged in discussions with with base leaders about the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission and the unmanned aircraft systems launched from this location. Secretary Donley also learned of the wing's contributions to the air battle through aerial refueling and the command and control mission.

"We may be the smallest wing in the AOR but we conduct some very dynamic
missions. The core of our population is based on four-month deployers who rotate through. We do that in a very aggressive and dynamic manner," General Polumbo said.

The commanders provided a comprehensive summary of the wing's varied missions and the purpose of its capabilities. They also gave a thorough overview of the manning and personnel required to keep this base moving forward.

Secretary Donley inquired about the deployed members and the medical care available to the Airmen. He learned about the facilities and services available through the 380th Expeditionary Medical Group.

The secretary thanked the participants and attendees before departing the headquarters, "I appreciate all you are doing here and the time you've taken to host this visit. I'm looking forward to meeting your Airmen."

After a lunch with Airmen from around the wing, the secretary viewed some of the aerial platforms including state of the art, high-altitude unmanned aircraft systems and command and control elements on the E-3 Sentry. His visit would not have been complete without a stop at a KC-10 Extender where the crews showed Secretary Donley the platform from which nearly a third of the AOR's air-to-air refueling is delivered.

"What do we do?" General Polumbo asked the rhetorical question. "We fly in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa on any given day or night as directed by the CFACC. We're ready to go and we can turn our weight of effort in any way the boss needs it in an incredible display of agility that your Air Force is designed to do. We really believe we're employing America's airpower and we do it in a great way here."

From sharing a meal with Airmen at the dining facility to getting a close-up view of the wing's aerial capabilities, Secretary Donley's one-day itinerary was nonstop. General Polumbo left no stone unturned in providing the secretary with an overall picture of the wing, its missions and its Airmen.

"This was exactly what I hoped I'd see," Secretary Donley said. "The ability to integrate so many missions and functions at the same time is an impressive aspect of the wing, its leadership and the Airmen here."

The distinguished visitor capitalized on his time at the 380th AEW to remind the Airmen that while they are performing critical missions here, he is providing them with critical support at home.

"Thank you for all you do, you have a great mission supporting the joint warfighter. There's no doubt about the purpose of what you're doing here or its affect downrange," Secretary Donley said. "It's an honor to work with you; and we'll do our best back in Washington to give you all the support you need." 

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