ADANA, Turkey- U.S. delegates and their spouses from Okla., Ark., Ariz., Fla. and N.M. visited Incirlik Air Base, Jan. 18.
Service members from the 39th Air Base Wing and from the 1st Netherlands Ballistic Missile Defense Task Force welcomed congressional leadership with a tour of Incirlik AB.
Senators James Inhofe, Okla., and John Boozman, Ark., and representatives Ander Crenshaw, Fla., Vern Buchanan, Fla., Ann Kirkpatrick, Ariz., and Steve Pearce, N.M., visited the Sultan's Inn dining facility where they met with men and women in uniform from their home states and talked about life in the military and at Incirlik AB.
Taking time to sit down and talk with airmen and soldiers was much appreciated according to Staff Sgt. Thomas Myers, 39th Force Support Squadron, chaplain's assistant.
"To have my senator take time out of his day meant a lot to me," said Myers. "With the military downsizing and budget cuts, it has a lot of Airmen worried, including myself. To hear the senator speak so passionately about supporting the military made me feel like Congress hasn't forgotten about us."
While the congressional leaders enjoyed lunch at the Sultan's Inn, their spouses enjoyed a lunch with Incirlik key spouses at the 39th Force Support Squadron Club Complex.
After the visit with service members the distinguished guests caught a glimpse of the joint mission with a visit to the Dutch Patriot battery site. Dutch soldiers welcomed the congressional leaders and gave them a peak into their daily duties at the 'Lik.
The Dutch forces augment Turkey's air defense capabilities and contribute to the de-escalation of the Syrian crisis along the Turkey border.
It is very impressive to have this support from our NATO allies, said Crenshaw.
"It was fascinating to see the cooperation between different nations to offer this kind of protection," he said.