SECAF celebrates welcome to the blue

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman J.G. Buzanowski
  • Air Force Print News
ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md. (AFPN) --  Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne was “welcomed into blue” during a ceremony here today. He was received by a hundreds of Airmen, the Air Force Honor Guard and Air Force Band.

Gen. T. Michael Moseley, chief of staff of the Air Force, presided over the event and told everyone present it was “an honor and privilege” to welcome Secretary Wynne back to the Air Force family.

Secretary Wynne spent seven years in the Air Force and taught at the Air Force Academy before joining the commercial aerospace industry, where he assisted in the development of the F-16 Fighting Falcon as well as the Atlas and Centaur space launch vehicles.

“Secretary Wynne will play a pivotal role in making the Air Force better for the 21st century,” General Moseley said. “He’s already making a difference, and I’m extremely grateful to have him with us.”

Although he was sworn in as the 21st secretary of the Air Force at the Air Force Academy in November, today's event was a formal welcome ceremony among his peers and co-workers in the national capital region.

“I can’t tell you how humbled I am to be your secretary,” Secretary Wynne told the crowd of Airmen. “Seeing you all here is inspiring to me.”

He cited the efforts of his predecessors and thanked them. He also spoke of his recent trip to Iraq and Afghanistan.

“I met the brave men and women of the Air Force as well as our joint partners from other services and nations serving on the front lines in the global war on terrorism,” Secretary Wynne said. “I was truly impressed with their enthusiasm and their commitment.”

Seeing the secretary welcomed into the Air Force was exciting for many Airmen -- witnessing Air Force history being made.

“I’ve only been in seven months. So when I was asked if I wanted to go, I said, ‘Of course,’” said Airman Jennifer Hicklin, who works at the Pentagon's military personnel flight. “This was a big deal and I’m glad I got to be a part of it.”