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Secretary of the Air Force visits Expeditionary Center, McGuire

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol
  • U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center Public Affairs
FORT DIX, N.J. --  Citing the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center as a "critical component of the Air Force's ability to train Airmen," Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley pronounced his first familiarization visit to the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center here on March 31 a success.

"The Air Force mission to fly, fight and win ... in air, space and cyberspace takes a lot of effort across all of our specialties," Secretary Donley said. "It's a huge team effort. In fact, most of the Air Force does not actually fly airplanes. Most of the Air Force is devoted to the work of preparing those air, space and cyber capabilities for wartime deployments. The kind of work that gets done at the Expeditionary Center reminds us that 'airpower ... from the ground up' is where we start."

Secretary Donley also received the latest updates on joint basing initiatives and a helicopter tour of McGuire Air Force Base, Fort Dix and Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst. Largely though, his visit was focused on familiarizing himself with the Expeditionary Center's mission preparing Airmen for deployments.

Lt. Col. Mitchell Monroe, commander of the center's 421st Combat Training Squadron, led the effort to show the Secretary the expeditionary skills taught by his cadre. In addition to specialized security forces training, Secretary Donley was also shown how military operations in urban terrain, convoy operations and combat first aid are taught.

"What an honor," Colonel Monroe said. "If we or anyone else needed an endorsement as to the importance of what the 421st Combat Training Squadron does on a daily basis, the Secretary of the Air Force's visit should suffice. I can tell you all of my (cadre) were thrilled the Secretary would take time out of his schedule to come see them prepare Airmen to go into harm's way."

Col. Lindsey Borg, one of the most recent graduates of the Advanced Contingency Skills Training Course which ended April 1, said he enjoyed the opportunity to meet Secretary Donley.

"It was an honor to show Secretary Donley the results of the investment the Expeditionary Center team made in us as Airmen warriors throughout ACST," said Colonel Borg, from Air Mobility Command Headquarters at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., and class commander for ACST Course 09-3. "Without exception, each Airman I spoke with during training called it the best in their Air Force experiences. The connection the cadre and course material built between the students and the warrior ethos is amazing. I saw the class change as combat skills and confidence grew through each training element. I'm glad Secretary Donley had the opportunity to see a small part of the return on this Air Force investment."

The Secretary of the Air Force also did what he called a "drive-by" visit to the Joint Center for International Security Force Assistance conference going on in the Expeditionary Center. During that stop, he told the 100-plus joint and coalition military audience "thank you" and encouraged them to continue their work institutionalizing security force assistance lessons learned from Iraq and Afghanistan.

"What you're doing is not only important for our country, but also for the international coalition that is working to resolve counter-terrorism issues and irregular warfare challenges we face today and in the years ahead," Secretary Donley said.

The Expeditionary Center's Mobility Operations School then showed Secretary Donley some of their areas in training mobile command, control and communication leaders. He saw first-hand the Hard-sided Expandable Lightweight Air Mobile Shelter, and learned about the Small Package Initial Communications Element used in training.

"His visit gave us an excellent opportunity to speak to our capabilities in providing the warfighter the latest training in deployed communications and command and control," said Tech. Sgt. Don Colbert, course director for the Mobile Command, Control and Communications Leadership Course. "We were also able to show him the shelters in which our students train that are identical to those being used in the deployed environment today."

Maj. Gen. Kip Self, Expeditionary Center commander, said Secretary Donley's visit, which follows the signing of the center's official charter by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwarz, shows the Expeditionary Center is providing the Air Force a valuable service.

"All of us can take pride not only in the tasking set forth in our charter but also in knowing our senior leaders have taken notice in all the great work the Expeditionary Center's 'Eagles' are doing for our deploying Airmen," General Self said. "It demonstrates our value and their confidence in our ability to deliver 'Airpower...from the Ground Up!'"

In addressing Airmen during his visit, Secretary Donley said that people are what drive the mission.

He emphasized those who work at the Expeditionary Center, and throughout the Air Force, are to be commended for their service.

"Thank you for your service in the United States Air Force," Secretary Donley said. "People choose to join the United States Air Force -- it's a world class institution. Part of the reason it is that way is the kind of training that is provided here at the Expeditionary Center, and throughout the Air Force, to hone the skills of our Airmen. The training brings them along and matures them from the lowest enlisted and officer ranks and up through positions of great responsibility for our Air Force."

Secretary Donley also noted that it takes the "Total Force" to make the Air Force successful throughout the world and the Expeditionary Center is part of that success.

"All these specialties that get trained here are valued across our Air Force," Secretary Donley said. "This is one large team -- active, Reserve components and civilians -- all working together. The leadership of the Air Force appreciates the magnitude of the commitments being made by the Airmen who serve the Air Force and we're dedicated to your service."