Remarks to the Texas National Guard

Major General Nichols,
State Representative Flynn,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I was at Dobbins Air Force Base yesterday to meet with members of the Georgia National Guard.  But I understand that the Texas National Guard is actually the largest in the nation.  Indeed, that it is often referred to as the Texas Military Forces!  So obviously I was keen to come to see you.

It is a real privilege to be here -- and to thank you for the tremendous contribution you are making to the security of your state, your country and the entire NATO Alliance.

I understand that the Texas National Guard was recently mobilised to respond to the wildfires here in the state.  But over the years, you have helped to tackle many more fires, all over the world -- and that strong engagement continues today.

You have backstopped NATO’s first big peacekeeping operation in Bosnia in the 1990s.  You were also active in Kosovo.  You have been part of the building of a Europe whole, free and at peace – an enormous achievement.

  More recently, you have helped to build security in Iraq.  And of course you have played a major role in Afghanistan, in the most challenging operation in NATO’s history.

In Afghanistan, greater security must go hand in hand with greater development.  The Texas National Guard has demonstrated a unique ability to help with both. By supporting the Agri-business Development Team in Afghanistan’s Ghazni province, you have -- quite literally – broken new ground. 

The versatility, professionalism and dedication of the National Guard are well-known all over the world.  And it is all the more remarkable to see that you are all volunteers. Several of you have done one or more tours abroad while your regular jobs, and your regular lives, were put on hold.  It takes a very special person to show that kind of commitment.

I know these past few years have been particularly busy for you and your colleagues on the National Guard. The operational tempo has been high. Tragically it has also taken its toll on you and your families. Several members of the National Guard have been injured during their deployment overseas, and some have made the ultimate sacrifice and paid with their lives. We all are forever in their debt.

The world is an increasingly unpredictable place, with many threats to our security and well-being -- terrorism, cyber attacks, and nuclear proliferation. So NATO is busier now than at any time in its history.

 
These threats know no borders. They affect us all. The only way to meet, and to defeat these threats, is by working together: within our Alliance -- and reaching out to others around the world.

No one nation, no one organisation, can do it alone.  Even a superpower like America can’t do it alone -- and we certainly can’t do it without America. Solidarity between the NATO Allies has been, and will remain, vital to our continued success.

Europe came to America’s aid within hours of the 9/11 attacks.  We invoked the collective defence clause in our founding treaty for the first time in NATO’s history.  We made clear that an attack on the United States was an attack on all Allies.

That commitment is not just words.  It is a reality every day.  In Afghanistan, for example, 40,000 Allied and partner troops are working shoulder-to-shoulder with American forces – fighting the Taliban, patrolling villages, bringing security and stability to a country that has been ravaged by over 30 years of conflict.   

We all know that a secure and stable Afghanistan means a safer world for all of us.  We have the right strategy, we have the right resources, and we have the resolve to see this through.  And we will continue our mission to ensure that Afghanistan does not return to being a sanctuary for terrorists and extremists.

The successful operation against Osama Bin Laden last week marked a significant success for the security of all 28 NATO Allies and the many nations which have joined us in our efforts to combat global terrorism.  But there should be no doubt that it continues to pose a direct threat to stability across the world.  International cooperation will remain key to combat terrorism – and NATO will remain at the heart of that cooperation.

So thank you all once again for your professionalism and your dedication to the cause of freedom.  Thank you also to your families and loved ones for their invaluable support.  And keep up the outstanding work that you are doing!

Thank you.