SECAF makes first official tour of Pacific Region bases

  • Published
SAN ANTONIO (AFPN) --  Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne is currently touring the Pacific Region to introduce his top priorities for the Air Force -- winning the war on terrorism, fostering mutual integrity and respect, and revitalizing for the service’s aging infrastructure and fleet.

The 21st secretary of the Air Force has so far visited Guam and South Korea. During his stop at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Secretary Wynne toured the base and island and met with more than 1,000 Airmen to discuss the future of Andersen and the Air Force

In his opening remarks, he congratulated Andersen on being redesignated the 36th Wing.

“This (redesignation) symbolizes the importance the Air Force places in Andersen,” he said.

Andersen was renamed the 36th Wing because of its growing mission and the fact it is at the tip of the strategic spear in the Pacific, Secretary Wynne said. Andersen is the perfect location for the Air Force’s mission of providing sovereign options to the president of the United States.

“To lead the way in what President George W. Bush has said is the ‘Century of Asia,’ the Air Force has plans to bed down Global Hawks and training facilities at Northwest Field and possibly a permanent tanker squadron,” he said. “Guam is a great jumping off place to make this all happen.”

To meet the growing missions of the Air Force, Secretary Wynne said the Air Force will have to become lighter, leaner and more lethal -- bringing the unique talents of Airmen to the joint fight -- to fly and fight in air, space and cyberspace.

Andersen is at the forefront on meeting that goal by performing and participating in various joint operations with Sailors and Marines throughout the year.

The secretary also said the Air Force will continue to integrate fully with ground forces and the Navy to ensure close-air support is there when needed and to de-conflict any part of the sky “so we can be a seamless single force.”

To be a seamless single force -- light, lean and lethal -- Secretary Wynne further explained that Airmen will have to be knowledgeable and enabled with accountable ethics and come up with innovative ways to accomplish the mission.

One innovative item the secretary commented on was the state-of-the-art, multipurpose Hangar 1 at Anderson.

“There are other bases around the world that would just really be envious about the capability of this hangar,” he said. “This is an example of a best practices base.”

In addition, he said doing things smarter will help Andersen when it finds itself in the middle of the force management nexus.

“The force management nexus will make sure we focus on the mission first, and Andersen will find itself at the apex of doing things smartly.”

Shrinking force 

By 2011, the Air Force plans to reduce the size of the force. The balanced force will commit the highest quality Airmen to meet the missions of today and tomorrow. The Air Force rests on three major pillars -- Global Reach, Global Power and Global Vigilance, the secretary said.

Inside of Global Reach is the expeditionary Army, expeditionary Air Force and expeditionary Navy. Inside Global Power is the projection of power to support ground forces “kicking down the door” when engaging in combat. Global Vigilance is about situational awareness. When the Air Force goes into unknown terrain, it’s situational awareness that saves lives. The realization and recognition of possible threats to ground and naval forces, when seen in advance, can be mitigated to save coalition and allied lives.

With an innovative hangar, joint operations with sister services, and being dedicated to maintaining situational awareness, Secretary Wynne congratulated and saluted Team Andersen and assured everyone the Air Force will enter into the next century ready to take on new challenges and missions.

While in South Korea during his Pacific Region tour, Secretary Wynne visited Osan and Kunsan Air Bases.

While visiting Osan March 20 to 22, he shared an early morning breakfast with Airmen, toured Osan's command and control operational facilities and received an Air Component Command mission brief by Lt. Gen. Garry R. Trexler, 7th Air Force commander. The secretary also met with South Korean air force's Chief of Staff Gen. Kim, Song II.

Secretary Wynne fielded questions and discussed a number of topics, ranging from force shaping and the benefits of online training versus traditional classroom training, to the effectiveness of the new F-22A Raptor. On the subject of training, he said virtual training would save the Air Force money on temporary duties and may replace some aspects of classroom training, but not all. He said there’s “nothing like being able to look a student in the eye.”

When Secretary Wynne was asked what he would say to a young Airman debating on whether or not they should come to South Korea during their career, he said yes -- for two reasons.

"One, it really illustrates why in fact he or she joined the military in the first place because if you want to stand on freedom's doorstep, here it is," Secretary Wynne said. "On the other hand, the lifestyle here at Osan is terrific. I think the hidden secret here is the surrounding people, the surrounding terrain, and the impact the leadership has on trying to raise the lifestyle here for the betterment of all. It is truly an interesting thing."

Secretary Wynne said he usually says Air Force means "adaptable" and "flexible" instead of Air Force.

While visiting Kunsan March 22, Secretary Wynne learned about the 8th Fighter Wing’s mission to defend the base, accept follow-on forces and take the fight north. He addressed questions from Airmen and got a close-up look at several areas, including the base’s state-of-the-art fitness center, security forces training areas and the O’Malley Dining Facility.

Secretary Wynne also met with South Korea air force Col. Kim, Kwang Nam, 38th Fighter Group commander, and Col. Brian Bishop, 8th Fighter Wing commander.

(Compiled through stories by Staff Sgt. Andrea Knudson, 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs and Tech. Sgt. Bran Gatewood, 36th Wing Public Affairs.)