SecAF visits Kadena Airmen

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Zade C. Vadnais
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James visited Kadena Nov. 25 as part of a multi-day visit to the Pacific.

During the visit, James had lunch with Kadena Airmen and visited Airmen in their duty sections with Brig. Gen. James B. Hecker, 18th Wing commander. She also spoke to Airmen during an all call at the Keystone Theater, where she communicated her priorities as Secretary of the Air Force and fielded questions from the Airmen in attendance.

"There's no question in my mind that you all are truly front line defenders, front line responders and also front line diplomats in many ways on Okinawa," James said.

According to James, Kadena is in a very complex, volatile and important neighborhood.

"It's a neighborhood with a whole lot of promise but also a lot of challenges," she added.

James used the opportunity to stress the importance of the Pacific region, reminding Airmen of the significance of their individual contributions to the base and surrounding community and of Kadena's mission as a whole.

"It's because of the great promise as well as the great challenges that exist within this region that Kadena and will remain a central part of the strategy for the foreseeable future," James said.

Also during her speech, James made sure to share her top priorities as SecAF with Kadena's Airmen, which include ensuring Airmen have what they need to get their jobs done, ensuring we have combat ready forces capable of fighting tonight while maintaining tomorrow's readiness and making the most of taxpayer money.

"You guys are where it begins and ends.," James said.

The SecAF concluded her speech with a tweet, saying "@KadenaAirBase Airmen are the Keystone of the Pacific!"