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Blackanthem Military News
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Last Updated:
Mar 19, 2010 - 6:16:21 PM |
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Blackanthem Military News
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| Service members listen to Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates during his visit to Joint Base Balad, Iraq, Dec. 13. The town hall meeting allowed service members to ask questions of the Secretary of Defense. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Brian A. Barbour) |
JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq - Dr. Robert M. Gates, Secretary of Defense met with military leaders and visited service members here today as part of a tour through the Middle East.
While at Joint Base Balad, Gates met with Gen. Ray Odierno, commander of Multi-National Force - Iraq; Lt. Gen. Lloyd Austin, commander of Multi-National Corps - Iraq; Brig. Gen. Michael Lally, the commander of 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary); Air Force Brig. Gen. Brian T. Bishop, the commander of 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing; and other senior personnel.
Earlier in the day, Gates had lunch with senior non-commissioned officers from multiple branches of service and hosted a town hall event at the Morale, Welfare and Recreation-East building here.
At the town hall, when asked about his decision to stay on as Secretary of Defense, Gates said, "No reason was more compelling to me than the fact that if hundreds of thousands of young Americans are doing their duty - your duty - without fail and often under difficult and dangerous circumstances, then I really had no choice but to follow suit."
Gates praised the military's efforts to improve warrior care and medical evacuations. He said everything possible was being done to protect service members and get them home safe, and he cited how quickly the Department of Defense deployed 12,000 Mine Resistant and Ambush Protected vehicles as proof.
In his opening remarks, Gates had nothing but praise for the service members.
"Each one of you could have done something easier, safer, probably with better pay," he said, "but you chose to step forward and wear the country's uniform."
This is Gates' ninth trip to Iraq.
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:
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| Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates speaks to Soldiers during his visit to Joint Base Balad, Iraq, Dec. 13. The town hall meeting allowed service members to ask questions of the Secretary of Defense. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Brian A. Barbour) |
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| Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates speaks to Soldiers during his visit to Joint Base Balad, Iraq, Dec. 13. The Secretary took approximately 30 minutes of questions from service members of all ranks in attendance. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Brian A. Barbour) |
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| Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates speaks to a Soldier during his visit to Joint Base Balad, Iraq, Dec. 13. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Brian A. Barbour) |
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