SECAF and CMSAF visit Beale

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Chuck Broadway
  • 9th RW Public Affairs
BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James Roy visited Beale Sept. 9.

The visit included a tour of the base housing area, 548th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group and 12th Reconnaissance Squadron as well as a question-and-answer session with senior noncommissioned officers and Chief Roy.

During the housing tour, Ms. Lisa Mata, housing manager, opened the doors to several homes for the SECAF and CMSAF to see.

"It was great to see somebody as distinctive as the SECAF here to look at the housing," Ms. Mata said. "Our base leadership is actively engaged in seeking out high-level support to assist with the revitalization of our housing program. They are doing so much to improve housing for our Airmen."

Mr. Donley also visited the 548th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group, where he observed live combat ISR missions in support of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. He spoke with active-duty, Guard and Reserve Airmen, as well as Army and Marine Corps personnel who were exploiting imagery and signals intelligence missions underway in Central Command.

"Lt. Col. Jason Brown, 13th Intelligence Squadron commander, highlighted the group's unique opportunity to push the limits of responsive ISR, due to the close working relationship of Team Beale including U-2, Global Hawk and intelligence exploitation crews," said Lt. Col. Rob Krause, 548th ISRG deputy commander.

"We're a force provider to combatant commanders," Chief Roy said. "We need to remember we're an Air Force and a nation at war. From what I saw today, [Beale] is focused on the war, there are forces that are actively engaged for the combatant command each and every day."

The SECAF also had a chance to speak with the family liaison officers from the 9th Intelligence Squadron, who continue to coordinate support to Airman 1st Class Colton Read as he recuperates after complications from surgery in early July.

During a question and answer session, Chief Roy discussed several issues and concerns including the ever-changing base communities and fine tuning the family programs already in place.

"There are plenty of programs in place and no need for additional functions. However, the best option is to tweak the current programs to better suit families," he said.

According to Chief Roy, taking care of Airmen and their families should be a priority and focus of everyone.

The chief concluded with words of advice and encouragement.

"We are the absolute best Air Force in the world because of you, the enlisted men and women," he said. "Your technical and leadership training is what makes you who you are."