Secretary of State visits PSAB

PRINCE SULTAN AIR BASE, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia -- U.S. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, visited U.S. Forces stationed at Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Feb. 20, 2020.

The tour of the Royal Saudi Air Force installation, 4-5 Air Defense Artillery Battalion, and the 378th Air Expeditionary Wing allowed him the opportunity to discuss military-related issues with commanders conducting missions in the U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility.

“Building alliances and partnerships is foundational to our approach – from the Secretary of Defense to the individual Soldier and Airman at PSAB,” said Brig. Gen. John Walker, 378 AEW commander. “The visit from the U.S.’s top diplomat underscores our nation’s desire to strengthen our alliances and attract new partners to our mission of deterring malign actors.”

Once Pompeo arrived, he met with the Royal Saudi Air Force’s Maj. Gen. Khaled Al-Shablan, the installation commander of PSAB, to discuss an array of topics related to the partnership between the two nations. While in discussion, he reiterated the U.S. State Department’s commitment to build deeper and long-lasting partnerships with its regional allies to help deter malign actors from causing instability in the region.

“You can see the work that is being done right now by our young men and women in uniform to enable the peace keeping deterrence and work with our partners to deliver us to a place where I, as the Secretary of State, can get the diplomatic outcomes that the president is seeking,” said Pompeo.

Walker echoed the sentiments.

“We do not seek war,” said Walker. “The increase of U.S. forces is not a build-up for conflict, but a defensive build-up that also holds deterrent value. Ultimately, our actions support diplomatic engagement to develop the solutions needed to fortify stability in the region.”

Following Pompeo’s meeting, Walker escorted the secretary and his team on an orientation tour. During the tour, he visited several Soldiers and Airmen to hear about their experiences and answer any questions they may have.

“It’s not every day that you get to engage with the most senior diplomat in the U.S.,” said Tech Sgt. Jessica Cunningham. “It is a once in a lifetime opportunity. It’s an experience I will never forget and underscores the importance of the mission we are accomplishing here at PSAB.”

Pompeo wrapped up the visit by seeing first-hand the crew and operators of the Patriot Missile sites and the F-15E Strike Eagles, assigned to PSAB.
“What our military members do here is important,” said Pompeo. “Their sacrifice makes a difference and their determination doesn’t go unnoticed.”

Prior to visiting PSAB, Pompeo spent time in KSA’s capital city of Riyadh to discuss regional issues and emphasize the U.S. commitment to its partners in the region. The visit is part of an eight-day diplomatic mission to several countries in Africa and the Arabian Gulf region including Senegal, Angola, Ethiopia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia before concluding the trip in Oman.

SECRETARY OF STATE MICHAEL R. POMPEO REMARKS AT THE UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR AFRICA, IN ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA

Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister Al Saud

Office of the Spokesperson

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus:

Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met today with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Washington, D.C. Secretary Pompeo and Foreign Minister Al Saud discussed bilateral and regional issues of mutual concern, including the continued need to counter the Iranian regime’s destabilizing behavior. The Secretary underscored the importance of the U.S.-Saudi partnership in confronting the Iranian regime’s threats. The Secretary and the Foreign Minister expressed their concern over the recent violence in Yemen, including Houthi cross-border attacks on Saudi Arabia, and they agreed on the need to swiftly return to de-escalation. The Secretary reiterated U.S. support for a political solution to the conflict facilitated by UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths.

Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State On President Trump’s State of the Union Address

President Trump continues to lead an American foreign policy that bolsters our security and prosperity, strengthens our alliances and partnerships, and protects our precious freedoms. In just the past year, the United States has removed the head of ISIS and Iran’s top terrorist leader from the battlefield. We have maintained unprecedented support for our ally Israel and the Administration’s Vision for Peace is the best and most realistic framework for achieving peace today between Israel and the Palestinians.  We’ve confronted the Chinese Communist Party’s economic abuses against the United States and our friends around the world. And we have built a coalition of nations eager to protect religious freedom for all people. All Americans can be proud of President Trump’s resolve to put American interests and values first and restore respect American leadership on the world stage.