Face of Defense: Work Thanks Afghanistan-deployed Troops

By Army Maj. Christopher Brautigam

Headquarters, 1st Cavalry Division

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, Dec. 1, 2014 – Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work personally thanked U.S. service members for their contributions to the mission in Afghanistan and for their service to their country during his visit here Nov. 28, 2014.

Work, a Marine Corps veteran, met with troops assigned to the Train, Advise and Assist Command here.

Throughout his visit, Work expressed his thanks and appreciation for the service members’ efforts.

“It’s people like you who really make the difference,” the deputy defense secretary told all service members he met here.

Work also took the opportunity to visit with soldiers of the 45th U.S. Central Command’s Material Recovery Element. He thanked the approximately 100 soldiers in attendance for their service, sacrifice, and efforts during their deployment.

Following his visit to the CMRE, Work and his wife, Cassandra, toured the Kandahar Airfield Role III medical center to meet with the medical professionals on duty.

Work’s concluded his visit here with a visit to the TAAC-S headquarters where he discussed why the United States has such a powerful and respected military.

The deputy defense secretary said the United States’ military has state-of-the-art equipment -- and something else equally as important.

“The real secret weapon is American servicemen and women,” Work said.