The Air Force in strategic context

Air Force Speeches, August 11, 2008

Remarks to the Air Force Week Civic Leaders Luncheon, Omaha, Neb., Aug. 11, 2008

Thank you for that kind introduction. I am grateful to the Bellevue and Greater Omaha Chambers of Commerce for hosting us today.

Senator Nelson, Mayor Fahey, Mayor Babbitt, Mr. Brown, ladies and gentlemen, thank you for being here today--I appreciate the support that you provide to our men and women in uniform.

Thank you

It is wonderful to be back in Omaha to share in Air Force week. We are grateful to Bellevue, the greater Omaha community, and several communities across the river in Iowa, for being such gracious hosts to the tremendous series of events taking place all week.

Thank you, too, for your many efforts to demonstrate your support for our men and women in uniform, and the civilians with whom they serve. Your encouragement to our military members, Department of Defense civilians, and their families makes a noticeable difference in their quality of life. Our service members, civilian employees, and their families are grateful for your efforts, especially as the operational tempo at Offutt Air Force Base keeps pace with our commitments to winning the Global War on Terror.

I hope some of you had the opportunity to join Governor [Dave] Heineman and General [Kevin] Chilton [commander, U.S. Strategic Command] for the opening ceremonies on Saturday at Rosenblatt Stadium, and that you will be able to join for the many other activities taking place across the greater Omaha area.

Veterans, Wounded Warriors and Community Care

Just before lunch, I was able to visit with some of our veterans at the Omaha Veterans Administration Hospital. Over the past few weeks, I have also had opportunities to meet with wounded warriors from our conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

I find the energy and enthusiasm of our wounded warriors to be absolutely inspirational. These men and women, and their families, are focused on recovery.

Many also aim to rejoin their comrades in arms for the Joint fight. I am tremendously impressed with their drive, tenacity, and commitment to their country.

In Washington, a senior Department of Defense--Veterans Administration Senior Oversight Council is working hard to expand access to medical care in needed areas ... such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury ... and streamline the transition between Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs systems.

But local communities are also absolutely critical to caring for and encouraging our wounded warriors. The outreach that comes to our wounded warriors from local civic groups, as well as caring individuals acting autonomously, plays an important role in their recovery. These local efforts help wounded warriors return to military service or transition to productive civilian life.

For example, I understand that just a few weeks ago, Omaha hosted the 28th National Veterans Wheelchair Games, with an outpouring of volunteers from the local communities. Your support enabled over 500 wheelchair athletes to share the spirit of competitiveness and camaraderie found in military units worldwide.

I also understand that at least one local non-profit group, Quality Life International, is applying holistic approaches to assist two Army and two Navy wounded warriors recover from Traumatic Brain Injuries, enabling their transition into a healthy, productive, and rewarding civilian life.

So to all in this audience who reach out to our wounded warriors and their families--whether as individuals who volunteer, employers who encourage their employees to be involved in wounded warrior recovery, or civic groups and businesses that support our wounded warrior programs--thank you for your involvement. Your efforts at the local level make a difference.

Your Air Force Today

I am proud to be back serving with the finest Air Force in the world. As I get up to speed on the many challenges facing our Air Force, I am heartened by the tremendous contributions that our Airmen make to the Joint team across the spectrum of conflict--whether delivering humanitarian relief, maintaining a watchful eye over adversaries sustaining our strategic deterrence posture, or delivering precision strike.

Our Air Force has changed since the last time that served as acting secretary.

We are a more expeditionary force, deployed to dozens of locations across the globe. Indeed, in the Middle East, we have been continuously deployed for nearly 18 years as part of a Joint effort to enhance stability in that region.

We are also a smaller force, having reduced our ranks following the end of the Cold War.

We are a more coherent force. With Total Force Integration, the Joint team sees no difference between our active, Guard, and Reserve components. All deliver air, space or cyber power to Joint commanders.

We are also a force that has made great strides in operational effectiveness. By leveraging unmanned aircraft system technologies, reachback, and our communications infrastructure, we have radically reduced the time gap between sensors and shooters.