SecAF visits Liberty Wing Published July 24, 2014 By Tech. Sgt. Eric Burks 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James visited RAF Lakenheath July 18, concluding a week of engagements which included meetings at the Farnborough International Airshow and visits to multiple installations in the United Kingdom. Throughout the day, James talked with Airmen and visited numerous base facilities, gaining an up-close perspective of the wing's focus on "people first, mission always." After attending a wing mission brief, James met with Sexual Assault Response Coordinators from bases throughout the UK, underscoring the significance of their roles. Carolina Yepez, 48th Fighter Wing SARC, said she was impressed James takes the time to meet with coordinators from every base she visits. "We've had phenomenal support from our wing leadership," Yepez said. "And when the Secretary of the Air Force can sit down and have a face-to-face conversation about your program, it shows our top leaders are committed to our mission of ending sexual assault in the Air Force." Next, James visited the 48th Medical Group, which delivers primary and specialty health care services to more than 35,000 beneficiaries at six operating locations throughout the U.K. and Norway. The Secretary also toured the Educational and Developmental Intervention Services facilities, where a multi-disciplinary team provides early intervention and medically-related services to children with special needs and their families. Lt. Col. Deanna Medina, 48th Medical Operations Squadron, said EDIS are available at overseas bases outside the Continental United States, and the program at Lakenheath is the largest of six in the Air Force. "It's very significant to us that Secretary James took the time to visit and learn who we are and what services we can provide to Airmen and their families," Medina said. Col. Anderson Rowan, 48th MDOS commander, said, "In the midst of the stress on our personnel of being overseas and our high ops tempo, having a child with special needs adds to the stress." "EDIS, in conjunction with the Department of Defense school system, provides a wide range of services to ensure these children receive the assistance they need," Rowan continued. "This enables families to stay together and save money, and when parents deploy, they know their child has the care he or she needs." During lunch, James visited the 48th Civil Engineer Squadron fire station and talked with small groups of Airmen and spouses, including members of the 56th Rescue Squadron, the only U.S. Air Force combat search and rescue squadron stationed in the U.K. Sarah Herbert, wife of Lt. Col. Jared Herbert, 56th RQS commander, said James discussed the key spouse program, and asked about quality of life and base support programs. "It was very positive," Herbert said. "It's nice to feel that we're involved and that our voices matter." James concluded her visit to Lakenheath with an all call in Hangar 7, where she shared with Airmen her priorities, the first of which is taking care of people. "I advocate for our family programs and that we as Airmen take care of each other," James said. "If there's one thing the people in Washington believe in, it is the men and women in uniform." The Secretary also thanked the Lakenheath team not only for their readiness to respond when called upon, but also for sharing their excitement for the mission. "I've had the great privilege of standing shoulder to shoulder with terrific Airmen for the past seven months since I've become the Secretary of the Air Force," James said. "I'm so blown away by the passion I've seen in our Airmen, whatever your job may be."