Carter talks Pacific pivot during JBER stopover

  • Published
  • By Air Force Staff Sgt. William Banton
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Dr. Ashton Carter gave thanks and praise to more than 150 Soldiers, Marines, Airmen and Coast Guardsmen of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson during a March 21 visit.

"I think the main thing that I want to say to you is thank you," Carter said. "I want each of you to go home tonight to whoever matters to you, whether it's a spouse, kids or mom and dad. Whoever is close to you, tell them that you were thanked by us, by the Department of Defense, for what you do. It means a great deal to us and we don't take for granted what you do here."

The stopover at JBER concludes a weeklong trip visiting with leaders in Japan, South Korea and the Philippines, reaffirming the strategic importance of the U.S. and rebalance to the Asia-Pacific region while highlighting U.S. defense capabilities.

"I was out visiting militaries in Asia for the last week and boasting to them of not only the prowess our military has in terms of traditional military skills, but the amazing versatility you have," Carter said. "No other military in the world can perform like you do, and no other military in the world can be trusted with complex human interaction in the way we asked of you and that you deliver."

Carter used part of his time with the JBER service members to discuss the current strategic defense posture while reflecting on the past.

"You are right here right now at the fulcrum of a great strategic transition that we are making in our country, for our world, which is from a decade where [leadership's] principle preoccupation has been of necessity that our day, every day, begins with the folks that are deployed. Our hearts are all in to them and to you when you're there.

According to Carter, The U.S. military is entering into a strategic turning point, from the era of Iraq and Afghanistan and the immediate post 9/11 years, to the problems, challenges and opportunities determining the country's future.

"You are right at the center of that," Carter said. "Many of you are now beginning to turn your attentions to the challenges of the future. Principle among those is our recognition that to a substantial extent, our nations interest and the worlds need for us will focus on the Asian-Pacific theater."

The focus of U.S. interests is just one part in what Carter calls the "Great Transition." He stated the priorities include relearning full spectrum skills and observing the operational concepts and tactics associated with a different kind of warfare our nation may be called upon to fight.

"Another thing we need to do is come home, rest-up a little bit, reconnect with families and give yourselves a chance to recharge those batteries, Carter said. "We know we've worked the force hard. We know we have depleted those batteries over the years. One of the things we hope to do in coming years, in addition to vaulting into the future, is to give you a chance to rest up and reconnect."

Carter also reiterated the importance of the U.S. military in countries who count on us for their security.

"So much of the world counts on us to give to them something that they can't provide to themselves, but their people want more than anything, and that's security," Carter said "I tell people that security is like oxygen. When you have it, you don't think about it. But if you don't have it, that's all you think about."

Carter went on to acknowledge feelings that sometimes the world doesn't recognize or appreciate the importance of what service members do.

"Sometimes that makes me angry, but I console myself with the thought that it's really how it's supposed to be," Carter said. "They're not supposed to have to worry, that's why we are here. "

According to Carter, the world fully understands, appreciates and counts on the sacrifices the U.S. makes for their security.

"So, however hard you work, however much you and your families have sacrificed, you do have something that most of the country doesn't have," Carter said. "That's that feeling in the morning when you wake up and know that you're part of something bigger than yourself."