Airmen, along with servicemembers from more than 14 nations, bid farewell to the 20th Secretary of the Air Force Jan. 18th.

Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz presented Air Force Secretary Dr. James G. Roche the Department of Defense award for distinguished public service upon his retirement. His wife, Diane, was recognized with the exceptional civilian service award.

Flanked by Airmen with an F/A-22 Raptor in the background, Air Force Chief of staff Gen. John P. Jumper was the host of the event and spoke on changes the Air Force has seen under the direction of Secretary Roche. He said the secretary' s personal touch affected each Airman's life.

"(Secretary Roche will be remembered for) all he has done for them, for our Air Force and for our nation," the general said.

Mr. Wolfowitz presided over the ceremony and hailed the secretary for his "out of the box" thinking, using the Air Force in a new combat role with the Army and for instilling unique improvements in education for enlisted Airmen.

The secretary was appointed in 2001 and has been responsible for the affairs of the Department of the Air Force, including the organizing, training, equipping, and providing for the welfare of its nearly 370,000 Airmen on active duty, 180,000 Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Airmen, 160,000 civilians and their families.

Secretary Roche spoke of leadership lessons he learned in his earlier Naval career from Navy Adms. Arliegh Burke and Hyman Rickover in solving complex problems, and how those lessons have stood the test of time. The secretary closed by emotionally reading a verse from the Navy hymn, “Eternal Father, Strong to Save.” The alternate verse was written by Mary C. D. Hamilton in 1915. [ANN Salutes Staff Sgt. April Lapetoda, 89th Airlift Wing Public Affairs]

FMI: www.af.mil