Partnerships can help boost support for fighters: official
KUWAIT CITY, March 26: The US 386th Air Expeditionary Wing organized a media day at Ali Al-Salem Air Base, to highlight how partnerships with Kuwait and coalition partners can enhance support for fighters at the base and the ability to project decisive fighting power for a secure and stable Middle East.
Throughout the day, Al-Rai daily, along with the Kuwaiti media, was briefed directly on the work of 4 departments at the base, and the number of mission groups within the Air Exploration Wing 386.
The US 386th Air Force Commander Colonel George Buch Jr. said, “Our partnership with Kuwait as well as our coalition partners is evident throughout history, and you can see it continuing at the base today.
“We strive to be an indispensable partner in the region, and we continually work to maximize regional capabilities and support on common security concerns.”
He praised “the work during the 30 years of partnership between the US Air Force and Kuwait at Ali Al-Salem Air Base,” adding that “Wing 386 is the logistical gateway for the US Central Command, as it transports thousands of coalition personnel and about 140,000 tons of cargo to partners and coalition forces.” across the region every year.
He pointed out, “These deep and permanent relationships with allies and partners, which have existed for decades, allow us to succeed and distinguish us from our opponents, and these partnerships and teamwork are the reason for our victory in any confrontation.”
Buch also stressed the importance of preserving the security and stability of the region, pointing out that they work day and night so that all those who live in this region feel safe and secure, by establishing security, applying laws, and removing the threat of ISIS and terrorist groups.
He pointed out that “there are many hot events in the north of the region, and we are working to ensure that their effects do not reach the region, through our cooperation with Kuwait and the coalition countries.”
Commenting on the reports regarding the US Air Force’s tendency to reduce its presence in Middle Eastern countries and reduce the budget, Buch said: “The issue of the budget has not yet been approved, as it needs a vote by the Senate. As for the numbers of the US army in the region, it is variable that varies from time to time.” According to the circumstances, we are committed to staying in the Middle East region regardless of the number of forces and we will not leave it, given its importance to us... Despite the existence of competition with China, Russia and Iran, we are still in Asia and in Europe and we have strong partnerships in the region and help countries in their time of need as well Kuwait has already helped us.”
He added, “This is the reason why we have several military bases in the Middle East. We know how concerned the countries hosting our bases are about the news of reducing the numbers of our forces, but we stressed to our administration the importance of our presence at Ali Al-Salem Air Base and the importance of our presence at this base because of its strategic location and proximity to Syria.” And Iraq and Ukraine, and our administration understood this.
He pointed out that there is an advanced infrastructure that has been developed at this base, pointing out that there are about 2,000 US Air Force soldiers at Ali Al-Salem Air Base and a number of Canadian and Italian soldiers.
He indicated that 21.4 percent of the Air Force in active service are females, adding, “We love our partnership with Kuwait.”