US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel visited the US Army’s 101 Airborne Division’s “Bastogne” 1st Brigade Combat Team and listened to questions from soldiers in Jalalabad.
Hagel travelled to Afghanistan on his first trip as the 24th defence secretary to visit US troops, NATO leaders and Afghan counterparts.
The secretary spent time with troops at Forward Operating Base Fenty, located near the airfield, and pinned two Bastogne soldiers with Purple Hearts: Sgt Jeremyah Williams and Pfc Harry Hikes IV. Each suffered a traumatic brain injury during a December 2 predawn attack on the base.
Following the award ceremony, Hagel told more than 100 of the brigade’s troops he would “always do my best for you, for your families [and] our country. I will always put our men and women in uniform first”.
The secretary acknowledged that now is not an easy time to serve in the US military. But those now in uniform, he added, have “a rare opportunity to participate in something that doesn’t come along every day”. The world is in transition, as Afghanistan itself is, he said.
“That presents great possibilities for all of us,” he said, along with the dangers, uncertainty and complicated challenges.
The military mindset is to “see through challenges to find the opportunity to help make a better world”, the secretary said. “And if there’s one thing that defines your service, your sacrifices, it is to help make a better world.”
Hagel said he is “very proud to be part of your team”. He then asked the soldiers if they had questions or advice for him. Hagel responded to several questions regarding the sequester and the $500 million in across-the-board spending cuts it could mean for the US Defence Department over the next 10 years. The soldiers asked if it would affect change-of-station moves, retirement benefits or transition programs for service members leaving the military?
The secretary said he and the Congress were committed to keeping the promises they have made to service members. “I will do everything I possibly can to assure those commitments are fulfilled at every level, in every program,” he said.
