Attributable to Pentagon Spokesman Eric Pahon:
Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks visited Royal Air Force (RAF) Lakenheath today during a three-day visit to England to meet with UK counterparts and participate in the U.S.-UK Defense Dialogue.
While at RAF Lakenheath, the Deputy Secretary toured infrastructure improvements designed to improve base resilience and support for the base's F-35 squadron and saw demonstrations of innovative U.S. capabilities, to include expeditionary communications demonstrations and novel medical procedures developed to provide enhanced care for warfighters. She also received a briefing on the Air Force Repair Enhancement program, designed to aggressively mitigate maintenance shortfalls and ensure sustained combat capabilities.
In addition, Deputy Secretary Hicks met with service members and spouses to discuss quality of life issues and Secretary Austin's Taking Care of People priorities. During the discussion, service members and spouses discussed access to healthcare, child care, support to spouses, efforts to improve spouse employment opportunities, and resiliency initiatives.