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        Site RegistrationU.S. Air Force LogoAir Force

        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      Airman 1st Class Michael Diaz, 4th Special Operations Squadron aircrew flight equipment technician, fits Acting Secretary of the Air Force Eric Fanning’s oxygen mask prior to flying on a CV-22 Osprey and AC-130U Spooky at Hurlburt Field Fla., Sept. 9, 2013. The visit is part of Fanning’s familiarization with various Air Force missions since becoming the acting secretary.130909-F-VJ538-001
                        
                        
                        Airman 1st Class Michael Diaz, 4th Special Operations Squadron aircrew flight equipment technician, fits Acting Secretary of the Air Force Eric Fanning’s oxygen mask prior to flying on a CV-22 Osprey and AC-130U Spooky at Hurlburt Field Fla., Sept. 9, 2013. The visit is part of Fanning’s familiarization with various Air Force missions since becoming the acting secretary.
                
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        Capt. Danielle Schnitker, 23rd Special Tactics Squadron physical therapist, speaks with Acting Secretary of the Air Force Eric Fanning about physical therapy treatment at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Sept. 10, 2013. This is Fanning’s first visit to the area since he assumed office June 21, 2013.130910-F-VJ538-054
                        
                        
                        Capt. Danielle Schnitker, 23rd Special Tactics Squadron physical therapist, speaks with Acting Secretary of the Air Force Eric Fanning about physical therapy treatment at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Sept. 10, 2013. This is Fanning’s first visit to the area since he assumed office June 21, 2013.
                
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        Acting Secretary of the Air Force Eric Fanning speaks to Airmen during an all call at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Sept. 10, 2013. Fanning, who is visiting U.S. Air Force bases, addressed questions from the crowd and discussed current and future plans for the Air Force.130910-F-RS318-129
                        
                        
                        Acting Secretary of the Air Force Eric Fanning speaks to Airmen during an all call at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Sept. 10, 2013. Fanning, who is visiting U.S. Air Force bases, addressed questions from the crowd and discussed current and future plans for the Air Force.
                
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        Tech. Sgt. Cody Covert, 1st Special Operations Maintenance Squadron support section NCO in charge, asks Acting Secretary of the Air Force Eric Fanning questions during an all call at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Sept. 10, 2013. Fanning, who is visiting U.S. Air Force bases, addressed questions from the crowd and discussed current and future plans for the Air Force.130910-F-RS318-137
                        
                        
                        Tech. Sgt. Cody Covert, 1st Special Operations Maintenance Squadron support section NCO in charge, asks Acting Secretary of the Air Force Eric Fanning questions during an all call at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Sept. 10, 2013. Fanning, who is visiting U.S. Air Force bases, addressed questions from the crowd and discussed current and future plans for the Air Force.
                
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Acting SecAF talks future of special opsPublished Sept. 13, 2013
                    
                    By Senior Airman Kentavist P. Brackin
                    
                    
                    1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
            **HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. (AFNS) --**Acting Secretary of the Air Force Eric Fanning spoke with more than 500 Air Commandos about the future of special operations at an all-call during his two-day visit here, Sept. 9-10.
This visit, his first to the base, was part of his familiarization with different Air Force missions since assuming office June 21.
"There is nothing like getting out and seeing Airmen," Fanning said. "The Air Force is everywhere and in a lot of places people can't see, not just supporting, but at the tip of the spear. It's the one service without which the other services couldn't do what they do."
Fanning said he believes special operations will play an increasing role in the future. 
"We talk about the pivot to the Pacific as we continue to send more and more forces into places like Africa, the Middle East and remote locations," he said. "I think there is a fatigue for large-scale ground engagements, which is going to take us a while to recover from; so we're going to need to rely on methods like special operations."
Fanning also answered questions from the audience on topics like benefits and budgeting. 
He addressed rumors about military retirees having to wait until age 65 to receive their pensions and basic allowance for housing cuts.
"You have to read past the headline and past the first article you see," he said. "I haven't heard anyone propose changing the retirement system that dramatically for people in the military. If the decision is made to go through with that, [military personnel] would almost certainly be grandfathered; [changes] would only apply to those coming into the military."
As for medical and veterans affairs benefits, Fanning said things will improve over time.
"[The war in the Middle East] is a conflict unlike no other for its duration," he said. "Over the last 10 years more [injured] people are coming back from deployments." 
Fanning said Capitol Hill has made a lot of progress with these issues and are continually trying to improve the care provided to wounded warriors.
"I want to thank you all personally for being so welcoming; it has been an amazing five months for me," he said. "Thank you all for taking pride in the Air Force, coming to work every day and focusing on the mission."special operations 



Hurlburt Field 



1st Special Operations Wing 



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