Vice chief visits wounded warriors in Iraq

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BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) --  The Air Force vice chief of staff traveled to the Air Force Theater Hospital at Balad Air Base May 29 to visit wounded warriors and accompany them on a flight back to Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

Representing Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne and Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. T. Michael Moseley, Gen. Duncan J. McNabb carried a message of appreciation and respect for the dedication and sacrifice of injured military personnel serving in the war on terrorism.

"I don't have the words to express my deep respect and appreciation for your dedicated service to our nation," General McNabb told one wounded Soldier. "On behalf of all of our senior leaders, I just wanted to thank you."

General McNabb said it was important to meet with and pay tribute to wounded military members serving in the U.S. Central Command region.

"The United States of America is blessed with an all-volunteer force; men and women who willingly raised their hands to defend our Constitution and preserve freedom around the world," the general said. "The selfless work of these young Americans here in Iraq and in Afghanistan is truly shining the light of liberty on countries once shrouded in the darkness of tyranny, and I can't thank them enough."

General McNabb also met with the medical staff of the Air Force Theater Hospital, which is comprised of members from all four services. Historically, 97 percent of the wounded servicemembers who arrive at the hospital survive. However, due to the work of the hospital staff, the survival rate has climbed to 99 percent in recent months.

"There is no greater tribute that can be paid to our wounded military members for their sacrifice than the compassionate steps you all take, 24/7, 365 days a year to save their lives and return them to their families and loved ones," General McNabb said.

One member of the staff, Esther Slewo, took a six-month leave of absence from her job in California to work in the hospital as an interpreter. Ms. Slewo was born in Iraq and yearned to return and serve there.

"I want the Iraqi people to have the freedom I have in the United States of America; the freedom of free speech and the freedom to worship," Ms. Slewo said. "I want them to have a good standard of living. If they work together, I know they can accomplish that."

After visiting the hospital at Balad AB, General McNabb accompanied the patients on a flight to Ramstein AB and helped offload the patients onto buses waiting to take them to the Landstuhl Regional Hospital in Germany.

"The secretary and chief and all of our leaders are so proud of these young men and women," General McNabb said. "They have given everything for our country and spending time with them is one of the absolute honors of my military career."

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