FARGO, N.D. - Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James visited members of the 119th Wing on Tuesday at the North Dakota Air National Guard base here. James' visit included meetings with Guard leaders and elected and civic officials, followed by an all-staff meeting that was attended by North Dakota Air National Guard members.
James used the visit to update the members of the 119th Wing on her top three priorities.
"My three highest priorities are: one, taking care of people; two, striking a balance between readiness today and modernization for tomorrow, which means ensuring our aircraft and our Air Force across the board can handle today's challenges and are preparing for what lies ahead; and third - in this time of significant financial constraint - making every dollar count, which means being efficient and ensuring that we act as good stewards of our taxpayers' dollars," James said.
As the 23rd secretary of the Air Force, James was appointed by the president of the United States and is responsible for the affairs of the Department of the Air Force, including the organizing, training, equipping and providing for the welfare of its nearly 664,000 active duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian Airmen and their families. She also oversees the Air Force's annual budget of more than $139 billion.
During the visit to Fargo, James met with Gov. Jack Dalrymple and Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, adjutant general for the North Dakota National Guard, Col. Kent Olson, 119th Wing commander, as well as civic leaders.
"The 119th Wing has a long-standing record of excellence and Secretary James' visit today is a valuable opportunity for her to see firsthand the tremendous contributions that the North Dakota Air National Guard makes to our nation's defenses," Dalrymple said.
James had an opportunity during the visit to Fargo to learn more about the challenges and successes that that Airmen of the 119th Wing, also known as the Happy Hooligans, have experienced throughout evolving missions within the state and across the globe.
"Our Airmen continue to strengthen important intelligence capabilities here and abroad," said Col. Kent Olson, 119th Wing commander. "Members of the 119th Wing stationed stateside remain engaged in overseas contingency operations as they support remote-piloted aircraft overseas. The unit's surveillance and reconnaissance operations make up some of the most important and relevant missions in the entire Air National Guard today."
Over the last couple years, Guard forces have also taken a much larger role in missile field security. The 219th Security Forces Squadron, stationed at the Minot Air Force Base, has taken over security for the entire northern sector of one of the nation's three missile fields. Side-by-side, active-duty and North Dakota Air National Guard Airmen protect 150 launch facilities and corresponding missile alert facilities for the Minuteman III Weapons System across a vast area in northwestern North Dakota.
Additionally, North Dakota Guard Airmen continue to serve in various roles and missions abroad.
"We're pleased Secretary James had an opportunity to visit the 119th Wing," Sprynczynatyk said. "In today's operating environment, officials in Washington are faced with critical decisions that have an effect on the security of our nation and those who provide that security. Any time leaders interact with our Guards members, they walk away with an even better understanding and appreciation for the important work we do at home and around the world."