N.C. governor visits Seymour Johnson

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Heather Stanton
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  North Carolina governor Bev Perdue visited Airmen and families during a tour here Dec. 11 to show support for military members during the holiday season.

Governor Perdue's visit included a mission brief, tour of the child development center and flight line and a press conference.

"The F-15E (Strike Eagle) is the primary aircraft involved heavily in training and flying folks involved in the missions in Afghanistan and around the world," the governor said. "Airmen call North Carolina home. I think you could talk to the colonel (Mark Kelly, 4th Fighter Wing commander) and see the tracks of this base all over the world on any given day."

The governor said one of the most powerful aspects of her visit was the child development center.

"The children are fabulous," she said. "As you enter the hall into the classroom area you see a montage of photographs with small children with one of their parents, mom or dad, who are deployed, actively engaged in the freedom effort abroad. As I listened to Colonel Kelly and his leadership team, I realized how powerful, once again, the presence of Seymour Johnson is in the global arena and how much is at stake with these Airmen, with these aircraft and with these fragile families."

During the tour, Governor Perdue expressed an understanding for quality of life concerns that are key to happy families and promised to work on those issues, no matter how small or large.

The governor also commended the strong relationship the base has with the local community and believes the military is an important aspect in the strength of North Carolina.

"The military is the lifeblood of North Carolina," Governor Perdue said. "Not just for what you do but for what you bring to our economy."

The governor said Col. and Mrs. Tanya Kelly were tremendous hosts, and lauded the service and sacrifice of Seymour Johnson Airmen.

"The efforts of the men and women serving on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base make it clear why North Carolina should continue to strive to be the most military-friendly state in America," she said.

Governor Perdue is North Carolina's 73rd governor and is also the state's first female governor.