Photo By Master Sgt. Chauncey Reed | Deborah Lee James, secretary of the U.S. Air Force, attends a mission capability...... read more read more
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FORT SMITH, Ark. - The 23rd secretary of the Air Force, Deborah Lee James, visited the 188th Wing and Fort Smith Monday, marking the first time that a service secretary has ever visited the wing.
James ventured to the 188th to learn more about the wing’s mission transition from manned A-10C Thunderbolt II “Warthogs” to intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, remotely piloted aircraft and space-focused targeting.
During her visit, James attended a mission capability briefing, which included Arkansas National Guard and 188th Wing leadership, U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, Col. Troy Galloway, Fort Chaffee Joint Maneuver Training Center commander, and members of the U.S. Special Forces. The presentation showcased how the 188th’s missions and facilities, coupled with Special Forces and Army training facilities in the area, present a unique opportunity for real world inter-service training events.
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Sen. John Boozman also sent representatives to the event.
“We were able to showcase our new mission and some of the outstanding achievements our wing and Airmen have accomplished,” said Col. Bobbi Doorenbos, 188th Wing commander. “The visit was also an opportunity for us to show the potential for future growth at our base. We’re very appreciative that Secretary James took the time to visit the 188th and learn what our Airmen bring to the fight.”
James also visited with the 188th’s sexual assault response coordinator, viewed the wing’s new sensitive compartmented information facility (SCIF) as well as the remote air, zonal operations, reach back-processing, assessment and dissemination (RAZORBack PAD), which is a domestic operations incident awareness asset.
“I have learned a lot in a few short hours,” James stated. “This soon will be a unique location in the country because not only will you be flying missions from Fort Smith, but you will also be analyzing the intelligence and the folks will sit side by side.”
James attended an off-base luncheon after the visit where she observed the 188th’s exceptional community support. She thanked Maj. Gen. Mark Berry, Arkansas National Guard adjutant general; Brig. Gen. James Vogel, Arkansas Air National Guard commander; Fort Smith Mayor Sandy Sanders; and representatives from the Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce for their time and hospitality. She also expressed her thanks to Womack for his help in organizing her visit to Arkansas.
“I’ve been so impressed with the 188th,” said James. “I want to thank our National Guard and I want to thank this community for being supportive, first and foremost, of our Airmen.”
| Date Taken: | 12.14.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 12.16.2015 17:18 |
| Story ID: | 184715 |
| Location: | FORT SMITH, ARKANSAS, US |
| Web Views: | 78 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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