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Ambassador provides global picture to future leaders

  • Published
  • By Capt. Tim Wade
  • Air University Public Affairs
MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. (AETCNS) --  While U.S. national security efforts focus on the Global War on Terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs discussed issues facing the State and Defense departments throughout the globe with Air War College students here Feb. 9.

Ambassador Christopher Hill is right in the middle of the six-party talks involving North Korea, as the U.S. representative concerning the potential manufacture of nuclear weapons by North Korea. The ambassador was at Maxwell for "State Department Day" at the Air Force senior military leader school. It was an opportunity to exchange information, focus on global issues facing the military and discuss how to partner with international allies.

"We have threats we face as a country, and we have to be able to face them together as one team with one mission," Ambassador Hill said. "This was a tremendous opportunity to come down here to meet students at the Air War College."

"Today was a great opportunity for senior military leaders to speak with members of the State Department in an academic setting," said Maj. Gen. Robert Elder, Air War College commandant. "The State Department officials brought their expertise to the Air War College Regional and Cultural Studies program and helped us prepare for 14 different trips in which the students will meet with the leaders of other countries to validate their research and hone their cross-cultural communication skills."

Ambassador Hill has made numerous trips to China to discuss the six-party talks, but this was his first to Alabama. And he did not come alone. About 40 State Department representatives discussed issues such as cultural awareness with the students, General Elder said.

Understanding differing cultures throughout the world is a prime focus of today's Air Force. Students were also keenly interested in the impact of terrorist regimes and other issues in that part of the world.

"For example, Indonesia has terrorist cells. We need allies to deal with the terrorist threat. Our diplomatic and military leaders are attached closely to work as one team," Ambassador Hill said.

Ambassador Hill reminded the students of the current conventional threats the U.S. faces in Southeast Asia. "(Our) Army, Air Force and Navy face an eminent threat on the Korean peninsula from North Korea."

The U.S. has kept military personnel stationed on the peninsula since the end of the Korean War. Currently, approximately 37,000 military personnel are stationed on bases throughout the area.

The ambassador described the current nuclear disarmament talks with North Korea as "very tough."

"It is three yards and a cloud of dust. There is no immediate breakthrough at this time. We (U.S.) have to work with others (Japan, South Korea, Russia, China and North Korea) to come to a peaceful resolution."

Not only does Ambassador Hill have to deal with nuclear, conventional and non-conventional threats, but also natural disasters. He received a first-hand view of the U.S. military's involvement in a humanitarian relief effort during his travels of the region. He talked about the relief efforts for the December 2004 tsunami which devastated Southeast Asia but was felt as far away as Africa.

"The tsunami was a terrible tragedy. It was an example of them (different armed service branches) successfully working together. We got there in a hurry. With people still crawling out of debris, we were there."

Ambassador Hill said that strategic airlift was critical in the region. The first C-17 Globemaster III, which was delivered to Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, this month, is set to provide continued strategic airlift to the Pacific region.

"I have seen the impact of the Air Force's C-17s, C-130s and other aircraft while I served abroad," Ambassador Hill said. "We can be proud of the U.S. military's role in humanitarian relief. It is a great credit to the men and women in the armed forces on a job well done."