OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb –
Adm. Cecil D. Haney, U.S. Strategic Command commander, traveled throughout the Asia-Pacific region, Nov. 4-8, 2014.
The trip provided opportunities to discuss bilateral cooperation with Australian defense counterparts, observe global strike and space operations, and meet with service members in Guam and Hawaii.
“One of my priorities is building enduring relationships – in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond – to confront a broad range of global challenges,” Haney said. “Engaging with partners, talking with service men and women, and seeing firsthand the contributions we are making 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to detect, deter and prevent strategic attacks against the United States and our allies is critically important.”
Hosted by Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin, AC, Australia's Chief of Defence, the Australia portion of Haney’s trip included discussions about opportunities for closer cooperation in space, cyberspace and other areas of common interest.
"My visit here and our deep, rich discussions are indicative of the robust partnership we share with the Australian Defence Force and this nation as a whole," said Haney. "We discussed ways to further strengthen our alliance and combine efforts in areas of close cooperation and common interest. We understand each others' perspectives regarding key issues, and our personal and professional ties are second to none."
Haney’s Australian visit was his first since becoming the USSTRATCOM commander, although he had previously travelled throughout Australia during his time as the U.S. Navy's Pacific Fleet commander.
While in Guam, Haney observed bomber and space operations, including a tour of an Air Force Satellite Control Network remote-tracking station, and met with Joint Region Marianas Airmen, Soldiers and Sailors conducting the mission from the 36th Wing, 96th Expeditionary Bomber Squadron and the 21st Space Operations Squadron. During an all hands call, Haney discussed his priorities and fielded questions from service members about the future of deterrence, the strategic importance of their mission and our enduring presence at Andersen Air Force Base.
“The rebalance to Asia, from the United States perspective, is all about enabling a safe, secure and prosperous Asia-Pacific region, and Guam is an important piece of that,” Haney said. “For more than a decade, we have supported Pacific Command and larger Department of Defense objectives with our continuous bomber presence here. These aircraft, and the men and women who fly and maintain them, offer a significant capability and serve as a visible reminder of our commitment to Asia-Pacific security and stability.”
The final portion of Haney’s visit to the region included a stop at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, where he received a tour of the Wideband Satellite Communications Operations Center operated by U.S. and Australian forces at the Wahiawa Annex.
Charged with conducting global operations 24/7, USSTRATCOM is one of nine U.S. Department of Defense unified combatant commands, and is responsible for strategic deterrence, space operations, cyberspace operations, joint electronic warfare, global strike, missile defense, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, combating weapons of mass destruction, and analysis and targeting.