Acting secretary addresses VFW

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class David Dobrydney
  • 45th Space Wing Public Affairs
ORLANDO, Fla. (AFPN) --  Acting Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley spoke before an audience of Veterans of Foreign Wars members Aug. 18 at their national convention here.

He gave a snapshot of today's Air Force and its contributions to the war on terrorism.

"Our veterans have answered their country's call to duty, representing America's unswerving commitment to individual human rights and dignity," Secretary Donley said. "I have to tell you, the men and women of today's Armed Forces remain just as dedicated and committed to the ideals of our country as their predecessors.

"Today's Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines are making tremendous contributions to our national defense, from defending the skies above our homeland to capturing insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan," he said. 

Secretary Donley thanked the VFW members for their efforts in asking commercial airlines to waive baggage fees for warriors traveling on official orders. 

"This is much appreciated by our men and women in uniform," he said.

For those who wonder who today's Airmen are, Mr. Donley had answers.

They are educated and innovative, he stated, with more than 50 percent of the officer corps earning advanced or professional degrees.  Nearly 25 percent of the enlisted corps possessing at least an associate degree, with many earning bachelors and graduate degrees.

Since September 11, 2001, today's Airmen have been busy filling 650,000-plus contingency requirements, flying more than 52,000 sorties over America to defend the homeland, and surpassing the one million mark for sorties generated as part of operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and Noble Eagle in April.

Secretary Donley also offered specific examples of what the Air Force brings to the war on terrorisim, which includes more than 33,000 Airmen deployed.

He recounted an operation that successfully eliminated a wanted terrorist. Intelligence for the strike was gathered by both satellites as well unmanned Predator aircraft flown by Airmen at Creech Air Force Base, Nev., and analyzed by Airmen at Beale AFB, Calif., and Langley AFB, Va. 

"The exchange of information occurred in real-time over a distance of 7,000 miles, thanks to those satellites overhead," said Secretary Donley.

Once the intelligence was verified, an air strike was requested from the Combined Air Operations Center, which is a command and control center composed of personnel from all services as well as coalition partners.

CAOC representatives immediately relayed information to people at a Control and Reporting Center at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, who passed the tasking to already-airborne F-16 fighter jets. Joint terminal air controllers and Army special forces troops moved in on the terrorist's hideout and guided the F-16s to the target. The strike was a success.

"It is a great example of how joint teams, spanning multiple military units, time zones, and command and control centers, can achieve tremendous accomplishments," Secretary Donley said, adding that this example of joint warfighting is not unique. "Every day, America's Airmen integrate air, space and cyberspace capabilities into the joint fight, demonstrating their flexibility throughout.

"Over 100,000 Airmen ... have known the strain of multiple deployments," he said. One of those Airmen is Tech. Sgt. Vilma Cantu, a combat cameraman who, while patrolling, found herself in a firefight in Iraq. Through the three-hour attack, she alternated between returning fire and filming the battle, providing an invaluable record for brigade and division commanders.

"She not only accomplished her mission as a combat photographer, but she also fulfilled her duties as an American Airman and warrior," Secretary Donley said. "As she put it, 'I was just doing my job.'"

The secretary went on to speak of other Air Force missions, such as medical evacuations. During the Vietnam War, for instance, it took 45 days to get an injured servicemember from the theater to the United States for treatment. 

"Today, we often are able to move injured warriors from theater to the United States in three days or less," Secretary Donley said.

"Additionally, with advances in medical technology and operational effectiveness, we are witnessing unprecedented survival rates and the lowest disease, non-battle injury and died-of-wounds rates of any conflict in U.S. history," he said.

Secretary Donley also mentioned Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, where Air Force and Army officials recently came together to establish a center to treat traumatic brain injuries, lessening the strain on families by allowing soldiers to stay close to home while receiving treatment.

He spoke of the speed in which the Air Force specialists integrated new technology that allows for better selection and faster action on targets. 

"During Desert Storm in the early 1990s, for example, the time-sensitive targeting process could take days, and during operations in the Balkans during the mid-to-late 1990s, it was reduced to hours," said Secretary Donley. "Now, in Iraq and Afghanistan, the joint team is completing the 'kill chain' within a few minutes."

Secretary Donley also referenced recent missteps that have occurred with the Air Force's nuclear responsibilities. He announced that last week a re-inspection of the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot AFB, N.D., had yielded a much improved score over the last inspection.

"No matter how many or how few nuclear weapons we have in our arsenal, the Air Force will remain vigilant," he said.

Having spoken of Air Force accomplishments, Secretary Donley took the opportunity to also talk about the challenges the service faces, among them maintaining an aging aircraft fleet and recapitalizing the force where and whenever possible.

"Amid these challenges, however," he said, "we have at least two constants: the high quality of the Airmen attracted to military service and our commitment to the core values of Integrity First, Service before Self, and Excellence in All We Do."

He closed his speech with words of thanks for the veterans in the audience. 

"On behalf of the Air Force, thank you for all you do to support today's young warriors as they defend the United States and its global interests, ensuring stability and prosperity across the global commons. It has been an honor to be with you today," he said. 

Read the complete speech.

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