Congressman Roger Wicker visits U.S. CENTAF Airmen

Courtesy Photo | Lt. Col. Brian Robinson, Combined Air and Space Operations Center Air Mobility Division Chief briefs Congressman Roger Wicker (Mississippi representative), during a Congressional delegate visit Saturday. Wicker visited the U.S. and coalition airmen, Marines, Sailors and Soldiers with fellow Representatives F. Allen Boyd, Jr., (Florida delegate), Wayne Gilchrest (Maryland delegate), Steven Cohen (Tennessee delegate), and Betty Sutton (Ohio delegate). (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Keith Houin)  

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

10.08.2007

Courtesy Story

U.S. Central Command Public Affairs           

U.S. Central Command Air Forces Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA - Congressman Roger Wicker visited Airmen at the
Combined Air and Space Operations Center (CAOC) and the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing (AEW), in Southwest Asia, Saturday.

Wicker along with fellow Representatives F. Allen Boyd, Jr., Wayne Gilchrest, Steven Cohen, and Betty Sutton met with Lt. Gen. Gary L. North, commander, U.S. Central Command Air Forces, Brig. Gen. Charles Lyon, commander, 379th AEW, and dozens of airmen assigned here.

A first-ever visit to the CAOC and the 379th for all the congressional representatives, they learned first-hand the contributions of air power in the 27 countries comprising the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility (AOR), especially Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Horn Of Africa.

Discussions and briefings covered many topics, including how the integration and synchronization of U.S. Air Force and coalition airpower shapes the battle space in Iraq and Afghanistan by having consistent overhead presence – whether it's kinetic strikes, intelligence, air mobility, air refueling or medical evacuation.

The Air Force's mission of directing and controlling the hundreds of civilian, military and unmanned aircraft in the skies over Baghdad, and its ability to move wounded warriors, people and supplies via air mobility assets, was covered.

The progress of the Iraqi air force was also included, the fact that the Iraqis are flying reconnaissance missions and transporting Iraqi soldiers around the Iraq area of responsibility.

More topics involved the contributions of Air Force space programs, the need to recapitalize the Air Force air refueling force to sustain air supremacy in the future, and congressional support to military veterans.

And, of course, they talked about the outstanding service provided by the 25,000 American Airmen serving in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

• Date Taken: 10.08.2007
• Date Posted: 10.08.2007 11:17
• Story ID: 12755
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)