Defense Secretary visits Eglin

Courtesy Photo | Tech. Sgt. Michael McClure, 33rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, briefs Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on the cockpit of the F-35A Lightning II July 10 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Hagel visited the base to tour the 33rd Fighter Wing and F-35 Lightning II integrated training center. He held a 45-minute troop call to praise the work of the service members who began and continue to improve the DOD’s newest fighter program. (U.S. Air Force photo/Linda Phillips)  

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, FL, UNITED STATES

07.10.2014

Story by Samuel King Jr.              

96th Test Wing

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - "You make a difference. You are defining history," said Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, flanked by two F-35A Lightning IIs, during a troop call here July 10.

Hagel's four-hour tour of the 33rd Fighter Wing's F-35 integrated training center included the mission simulator, a hands-on tour of an F-35A static display as well as a discussion with joint strike fighter pilots and maintenance chiefs.

After the meeting, Hagel said the pilots and maintainers were clear about what they thought about this aircraft.

"They told me this is the best aircraft they've ever flown and some said it was easiest they've ever flown. They gave me a very good sense of this aircraft, capabilities, what it can do, how important it is going to be for our national security. I was particularly happy to hear that because I believe this aircraft is the future fighter of our services."

During the troop call, Hagel focused on safety first with reassuring words after a recent F-35 accident here temporarily suspended F-35A flying operations.

"We are not going to put aircraft in the air or ask anyone to risk their life on any platform for any reason unless we feel absolutely secure that it is safe," he said. "That is what we are evaluating now as you know."

The incident is still under investigation.

The Defense Secretary moved on to financial matters because he said he knows it is on troops' minds, especially how it affects their career, future, family.

"We are undergoing as intense a budget reduction process as this department has seen in many years," he said. "We are going to have to be smart about how we prioritize our resources, be clear in our missions and be effective in how we operate. I know you are doing that, and I'm aware of it. We are making progress in some areas."

After the troop call, Hagel shook hands with service members and handed out coins.

"People are the highest priority of our enterprise," Hagel said. "Quality of the people makes the institution. This base represents that quality of people and priority. The base is defining a new dynamic of world affairs and of security. This platform is going to do that as much as any platform we've had in recent times, but this would never work would work without you."

Members of the 33rd FW realize the significance of the defense secretary's visit.

"It's always an honor to have decision makers visit from D.C.," said Lt. Col. Eric Smith, 33rd Operations Support Squadron commander. "It signifies how important the program is to national defense."

• Date Taken: 07.10.2014
• Date Posted: 07.11.2014 10:33
• Story ID: 135860
• Location: EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, FL, US