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Secretary Gates brings call for excellence to AMC Airmen

  • Published
  • By Capt. Heather Kekic
  • Air Mobility Command Public Affairs
SCOTT AFB, Ill. --  Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates spoke to an audience of more than 400 Airmen here Tuesday to personally deliver his message that the Air Force must apply more rigor to its responsibilities, particularly with nuclear weapons.

The secretary's visit came as a result of his decision to ask Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynn and Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. T. Michael Moseley to resign June 5.

Scott Air Force Base, Ill., the home of Air Mobility Command, was selected as one of three locations for Gates to address Airmen because AMC's tanker refueling aircraft are included in nuclear-capable bombers' mission.

Gates said he came to speak to Airmen for three reasons: first, to explain in person and in more detail the reasons behind his decision to ask for the resignations of the top Air Force leaders; second, to express his thanks to Air Force men and women for their service; and third, to engage Airmen at every level and hear directly what's on their minds.

Gates said he believed the Air Force needed a change of leadership to provide a 'new perspective' and to underscore the importance of accountability in dealing with serious problems.

His decision came following an investigation into two incidents involving nuclear weapons. Earlier this year four fusing devices for ballistic missile nuclear warheads were accidentally shipped to Taiwan. Last August, a B-52 mistakenly armed with six nuclear-tipped cruise missiles flew from North Dakota to Louisiana.

Overall, Gates explained that the Air Force has "drifted from its most critical mission" and it "required intervention." The mission requires tremendous responsibility - one that has "no room for error or second chances," he said.

Following his explanation on the resignations, Gates took the opportunity to reiterate his strong support of America's Airmen, and to thank them for their service in the ongoing Global War on Terrorism.

"Every day Airmen are doing amazing things while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan," Gates said. The Air Force's precise air support has saved countless lives and made it harder for the enemy to operate. He highlighted the fact that Air Mobility Command has airlifted millions of passengers and nearly three million tons of cargo since Sept. 11, 2001.

"I value everything you're doing," Gates said. "I am profoundly grateful you are overhead."

Meanwhile, General Arthur J. Lichte, Air Mobility Command commander, in response to the SECAF and CSAF resignations, issued a memorandum addressed to all AMC personnel calling for a return to basics.

"Although the Secretary of Defense expressed particular disappointment in the Air Force's stewardship of nuclear weapons and equipment, his concerns must be a wake-up call for all Airmen," the memorandum states.

"There are a number of lessons we, as Air Mobility Airmen, must learn from this sad and unfortunate episode in our Air Force's history," said General Lichte. "Unless we turn this occasion into an opportunity to improve ourselves, our mission focus and our service to our nation, we risk continuing the failures that brought us to this difficult moment.

"We must continue to focus on doing our jobs right. There are no acceptable shortcuts; excellence depends on each Airman doing his or her job by the book."

General Lichte also wrote that returning to basics means, "Leaders must lead." Additionally, leaders must accept responsibility and hold themselves accountable.

Secretary Gates also visited the headquarters of Air Combat Command, Langley AFB, Va., and Air Force Space Command, Peterson AFB, Colo., the other Air Force major commands with key roles in the nation's nuclear weapon mission.