Photo By Capt. Holly Elkin | Col. Greg Thingvold, commander, 34th Combat Aviation Brigade, listens as Defense...... read more read more
CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait — Aircrews from 2nd Battalion, 147th General Support Aviation Battalion, deployed with the 34th Combat Aviation Brigade, flew Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel to Udairi Army Airfield on Dec. 8, for a troop talk with service members deployed to Camp Buehring, Kuwait.
Hagel was greeted at Udairi Army Airfield by Col. Greg Thingvold, commander, 34th CAB, before thanking troops and leaders for their dedication to their crucial mission in Kuwait. He also expressed his gratitude to families who sacrifice time with their loved ones during the holiday season.
Flying the Secretary of Defense
For aircrews with the 34th CAB, flying Defense Secretary Hagel and his delegation to Camp Buehring required multiple UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, flown in formation with a well-orchestrated plan to ensure Hagel would arrive to meet with troops as scheduled, during his unannounced visit to the Middle East.
Important Mission in Kuwait
Soldiers from the 34th CAB joined troops from all organizations on Camp Buehring to hear Hagel’s remarks and ask questions of their own. The defense secretary began by telling the troops he wanted to ensure they understand that their mission in Kuwait is the centerpiece in the efforts of the combined joint task force in the region.
“The 60 coalition partners that have been assembled to degrade and defeat ISIL, and the barbaric threats that ISIL and other terrorist extremist groups represent, not just to this region, but all of us,” he said. “But it can't happen without the United States leadership. It won't happen without our leadership. And it won't happen without you.”
Troop Recognition
Hagel said that the leaders in Washington recognize what the troops are doing and the importance of their mission.
“We're working through this unprecedented historic time,” Hagel said. “And you are making history. You are defining much of the history that's being made now, but more importantly, it's for a purpose. You are defining a future. It takes leadership. It takes capability, capacity.”
Gratitude to Troops for Service
When asked what his greatest accomplishment has been, the defense secretary, who has announced his resignation, said that he would have to leave that to others to decide. Hagel instead spoke about his gratitude to those he has served with.
“And I have so admired that and I have so looked forward to every day with all of you because you are as special a group of people as there is in the world,” he said. “But what I leave behind in strengthening and hopefully preparing and bringing good people, the best people along and helping them develop.”
To the troops, Hagel gave an instruction to extend his message of thanks to their families.
“You've got about as tough a job as anybody does in our business, and we know that, the country knows it, and we thank you for that,” he said. “I also want to note that as we move into the holiday season, this is not an easy time for you, your families. Please give your families my thanks on behalf of all Americans.”
| Date Taken: | 12.08.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 12.13.2014 11:54 |
| Story ID: | 150263 |
| Location: | KW |
| Web Views: | 99 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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