SECDEF visits McChord, Fort Lewis

  • Published
  • By Rachel Young
  • Fort Lewis Public Affairs
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. (AFPN) --  Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates visited Airmen here and Soldiers at neighboring Fort Lewis July 7-8.

Secretary Gates, who lives near Mount Vernon, Wash., when he is not at the Pentagon, stopped by McChord AFB and Fort Lewis on his way back to Washington D.C. after the Independence Day holiday.

Secretary Gates visited wounded warriors at Madigan Army Medical Center, talked with Rangers, McChord Airmen and some Fort Lewis spouses, including a few who had just given birth at the medical center.

"It's been very useful," Secretary Gates told members of the press July 8 after receiving a briefing in an intelligence operations facility at Fort Lewis. "The conversations with NCOs and their wives are always instructive and I'm always impressed with their dedication and their commitment."

"We do this as much a possible," said Geoff Morrell, the Pentagon press secretary. He said the secretary finds it useful to gather troops and spend time talking to them and allowing them to ask candid questions.

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