The White Falcon - 17.05.2002, Blaðsíða 1

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White Falcon
Vol. 61 No. 19
online at www.nctskef.navy.mil
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featuring
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BlliiliLU
May 17, 2002
Powell visits with troops at NAS Keflavik
By J02 Stephen Sheedy
Secretary of State Colin Powell visited
with service members, as well as American
families and Icelandic employees during a
visit to NAS Keflavik May 15.
Powell’s visit to the base followed the
NATO ministerial meeting that took place
earlier during the week in Reykjavik. During
the visit he spoke of the importance of the
NATO presence in Iceland and the vital mis-
sion that Sailors, Solders, Airmen and
Marines stationed in Keflavik have in
America’s diplomacy and defense.
“I hope you realize the important role you
play in a place such as Iceland where we’ve
had a defense relationship for over 50 years.
This small and wonderful country has the
oldest parliament on the face of the earth. It
doesn’t have an army and only a few mem-
bers of the police carry arms but it knows
what defense is all about,” said Powell.
“It knows it never wants the United States
to leave because as long as we are here, we
are the surest commitment of the people of
the United States to the welfare of the
285,000 people of Iceland. The role you play
in our diplomatic and national security strat-
Among the many people U.S. Secretary of
State Colin Powell greeted and met were
scouts from Troop 364. In addition to shak-
ing hands with countless members of the
NAS Keflavik community, Powell also signed
several autographs.
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell speaks to the NAS Keflavik com-
munity about the American presence in Iceland. On stage with Powell
are NAS Keflavik Commanding Officer Capt. Dean Kiyohara (left),
U.S. Ambassador to Iceland the Honorable Barbara Griffiths and
Commander, Iceland Defense Force Rear Adm. John Waickwicz.
egy should never be
underestimated and
you should not have
any doubt about the
importance of what
you do.”
In addition to
speaking about the
importance of
America’s presence in
Iceland, Powell dis-
cussed some of his
military experiences
and remembered
some of the sacrifices
his family made so he
could defend his
country.
“I know what it’s
like to be in a mili-
tary family, I know
the sacrifices that
spouses make.
My first child was born when I was in
Vietnam. I didn’t know he’d been born for a
month and he was seven months old the first
time I saw him. All my children were raised
with a dad away four years at a time and
when he was home he was away for weeks
and months at a time. I know what family is
all about and I know the sacrifices that your
family has made,” said Powell.
Powell ended his speech by thanking the
See Powell on page 4
NAS Keflavik team backs
NATO meeting, Powell visit
By JOl Linda Pepka
A visit to Iceland by 11 North Atlantic
Treaty Organization (NATO) Foreign
Ministers requires serious planning and high-
priority action to be successful, especially if
the visitors include U.S. Secretary of State
Colin Powell who ended his trip by address-
ing the NAS Keflavik base community.
Joint efforts and teamwork became evident
when members of Iceland Defense Force
(IDF), NAS Keflavik, Commander Fleet Air
Keflavik (CFK), Patrol Squadron 45 (VP-45)
and the 85th Group soared into action to plan
and execute a progressive security strategy
for the NATO ministerial meetings in
Reykjavik on May 14-15 and Powell’s visit to
the base Wednesday.
CFK Watch Officer, Lt. John Red was one
of many whose mission was to ensure the
safety of the NATO ministerial meetings.
According to the watch officer, surveillance
started days before the NATO Foreign
Ministers arrived as the Pelicans of VP-45,
also known as PATRON Keflavik, began
missions patrolling shipping lanes around
Iceland.
“PATRON Keflavik supported surveil-
lance missions before and during the NATO
ministerial meetings,” said Lt. Red. “Their
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