Chairman of Joint Chiefs visits service members

Photo By Sgt. Timothy Dinneen | The deputy assistant secretary to the Navy, retired Marine Col. and Medal of Honor winner, H.C. Barnum Jr., thanked troops for their service and let them know the American people are behind them during a town hall meeting July 18. Barnum received his award for valorous actions in Vietnam.  

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AFGHANISTAN

07.18.2007

Courtesy Story

Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said he believes the War on Terror will last another 20 to 30 years during a town hall speaking engagement with service members here July 18.

Marine Gen. Peter Pace used the opportunity to offer support and answer questions service members fighting in Operation Enduring Freedom had before he leaves his position as chairman in September.

"Any terrorist activity over the past 100 years, it's taken 20 to 30 years to defeat terrorist activity," said Pace. "It does not mean having 25,000 service members in Afghanistan, or 150,000 Americans in Iraq; that will be determined in a shorter time line."

Questions raised by service members ranged from gaging the support of the American public for the War on Terror, differences between the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, future footprints of American forces remaining in Iraq and Afghanistan, and how to influence a local populace to embrace peace when all they've known is violence.

"The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are part of the same war, battles of the same war," Pace said. "The enemy's intent is to destroy our way of life, as long as our enemy has sworn to end our way of life we will be in a war. The only thing for us to determine is how we prevail."

The enemy is wrong to mistake (American) debate on how to wage the war with our resolve to win it," Pace continued. "We will prevail."

The deputy assistant secretary to the Navy, retired Marine Col. and Medal of Honor recipient H.C. Barnum Jr., thanked troops for their service and let them know the American people are behind them.

Pace also impressed upon the gathered service members the importance of re-enlisting in a struggle that will last well into the foreseeable future.

"Anytime any of our fellow Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines decides to stay on active duty, it makes all of us who are on active duty feel pretty damn good because you're staying on board with us," Pace said. "I guarantee you the folks in Congress and the American people know exactly what's going on here, it's important and you will be appreciated when you return home for a job well done."

Pace was not given another nomination opportunity to continue as chairman by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. Gates is due to recommend Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, current chief of Naval operations, to Congress and if confirmed will assume duties in September.

• Date Taken: 07.18.2007
• Date Posted: 07.18.2007 14:03
• Story ID: 11345
• Location: BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF