Dozens of U.S. B-52’s Stratofortress subsonic, jet-powered strategic long range bombers stationed in Qatar. Each has the ability to carry up to 20 AGM-69 SRAM nuclear missiles. In addition to its capability to carry new-generation weapons including the Joint Direct Attack Munition and Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser guided bombs, the AGM-154 glide bomb and the AGM-158 JASSM missile.
Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel addressed troops in Qatar recently.
Here is some of what he had to say:
“Thank you. Good morning and you can smile and you can relax.
First, thank you for giving me an opportunity to say hello and giving me an opportunity to thank you for what you’re doing. We are grateful, we appreciate it. We know what you’re doing. We also know how important your work is and I know you do as well.
But I know occasionally you’re stuck in remote places and you wonder if anybody even knows where you are or who you are or what you’re doing. And let me assure you, we do.
This — this facility is one of the most impressive facilities we have. And it is led by and manned and womaned by some of our most impressive people.
You don’t — you don’t get this job by being average. And I appreciate all of your own personal efforts to — to do your work here, because this is — this is really exceptional service and it takes exceptional skills.
I also bring you greetings from President Obama, who as you know is in South Africa for the Mandela funeral. He wanted me to express his appreciation and also his best wishes for the holidays.
These are difficult times, I — I know when you’re away from families, some of you have your families here, I know. But I suspect most of you are without your families”, said Secretary Hagel (source: DOD transcript http://www.defense.gov/transcripts/transcript.aspx?transcriptid=5339).
See related video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDTsYD2MaCQ