Air Force Secretary Michael Donley visited Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, on Aug. 22 for the first time since he took office four years ago, announced service officials. During the visit, he met with Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa leaders and discussed the critical role airmen are playing in the ongoing war against the al Qaeda terrorist organization. “Our goal is to ensure al Qaeda never again has the opportunity or capacity to attack the US,” said Donley. “We take an active approach [to meet that goal] here.” Donley told airmen their efforts are not lost on Defense Department leaders. “Your Air Force is the envy of every military in the world. We’re committed to ensuring our Air Force remains the greatest air, space, and cyberspace power in the world,” he said. (Camp Lemonnier report by SSgt. R.J. Biermann)
The six-week government shutdown did not affect the hours flown by Air Force pilots, a service spokesperson told Air & Space Forces Magazine—avoiding what could have been a major blow at a time when flying hours are already lower than they have been in decades.
