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Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James is greeted by Lt. Col. Robert Lee, 65th Operations Support Squadron commander, July 11, 2016, at Lajes Field, Azores, Portugal. James is the 23rd Secretary of the Air Force and was appointed to the position Dec. 20, 2013. She is responsible for the affairs of the Department of the Air Force, including organizing, training, equipping and providing for the welfare for its Guard, Reserve, and civilian Airmen and their families.
LAJES FIELD, Azores – Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James experienced Lajes “In the Fight” capabilities first hand during her visit to Lajes Field, Azores, Portugal, July 11, 2016.
Lajes was the first stop for the Secretary on her 10-day trip of Europe and the Baltics. She will be traveling to eight countries including Ukraine, the Netherlands and Iceland. The overarching theme of the Secretary’s trip is to meet with partner nations to discuss mutual cooperation in combating common threats.
“I have divided my time between two responsibilities, one, the Washington D.C. scene focused on budget and policy matters, and two, outside of Washington D.C. where I get to go out in the country and around the world and see the real Air Force, the front line Air Force in action and almost always in cooperation with our partners around the world,” she said.
During a standing room only Lajes “All-Call,” conducted at the Top of the Rock Commons, James described the experience of her visit.
“I am extremely impressed with the mission, I am extremely impressed with all of the people, you are hitting it out of the ball park in every single way and you have been doing this despite what has been a lot of turbulence,” said James.
This was James’ first visit to the installation where she spent a day touring several units, taking the opportunity to meet with commanders, superintendents, local nationals and Airmen of the 65th Air Base Group.
“I am convinced that Lajes is today and will remain an important location for us as well as for our NATO allies,” she said.
