SECDEF revisits past at Whiteman

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Stephen Linch
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  It was a homecoming of sorts as Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates visited here Nov. 20 to meet with local community leaders and members of Team Whiteman.

Secretary Gates first came to the base as a second lieutenant in 1967 when he was assigned to the 351st Strategic Missile Wing, which controlled 150 Minuteman II intercontinental ballistic missiles scattered throughout a 16,000-square mile area in west-central Missouri.

The secretary returned at the request of Whiteman's Base Community Council, an organization of more than 350 people representing 17 communities surrounding the base, designed to identify common interests of civilian and military populations and work together on issues of mutual concern.

"Being here in the 'Show-Me' state means coming full circle from Air Force second lieutenant to Secretary of Defense," Secretary Gates said. "I was commissioned January 4 1967, I married my wife, Becky, in Seattle on Jan. 7 and a few days later reported for duty here at Whiteman as a brand new second lieutenant."

Before speaking to a crowd of more than 175 military and community leaders at the base's consolidated club, he had the honor of presenting a Bronze Star, Purple Heart and an Air Force Combat Action Medal to a member of Team Whiteman for his actions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"It was the greatest honor I will probably receive in my lifetime," said Tech. Sgt. Michael Shumate, 509th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal flight. "This would normally be awarded at the squadron or wing level so to be awarded at the Department of Defense level by the Secretary of Defense is indescribable."

During a luncheon, the secretary spoke highly of the base community council, an organization stemming from the Minuteman II missile days when base operations occurred throughout a wide area of central Missouri.

"I travel to Afghanistan and Iraq periodically and I am occasionally asked by troops whether the people back home support them," the secretary said. "I tell them 'yes' because of organizations like yours.

"To everyone here from the BCC, please accept my heart-felt thanks for all the wonderful ways you have volunteered to help this military community," he added

Following his speech, Secretary Gates fielded questions from among the council members regarding current events in Iraq and Iran.

"The security situation has certainly improved, we have had some positive developments we did not anticipate," Secretary Gates said of Iraq. "It is clear that our men and women in uniform have brought them (the Iraqi people) opportunities that are being seized in some areas are not being adequately seized in Baghdad."

When asked to comment on policy regarding Iran, the secretary said, "It is very important for us to work with other countries and use that economic sanction and diplomacy (when dealing with Iran) -- another war is the last thing the Middle East needs."

Col. Garrett Harencak, 509th Bomb Wing commander, assured Secretary Gates that the 509th BW would continue to provide the military might necessary when called upon.

"As you all know the B-2 is the world's greatest strike aircraft -- because what you can't see you can't hit and if you can't hit it, you can't stop it and if you can't stop it that means there is no sanctuary for America's enemies anywhere on this globe," Colonel Harencak said as he presented the secretary with a model of the B-2 "Spirit of America" to conclude the luncheon.

"Just as Whiteman provided strategic depth and deterrence during the Cold War, so too do its platforms and people safeguard America today," Secretary Gates said. "While consolidating gains in Afghanistan is a priority and Iraq remains at the forefront in the war on terror, the strategic deterrence and long-range, precision capabilities offered here - our only operational B-2 base - are critical to protecting America's other national interests around the world."