Italian Col. Rosario Scarpolini (right), commander, Aviano Aeroporto, greets U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld as he arrives at Aviano Air Base, Italy, for a town hall meeting, Feb. 7, 2003. Rumsfeld visited the Air Force's only fighter wing south of the Alps for a few hours as part of a trip to gain European support for the global war on terrorism and future contingencies. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Staci L. Rosenberger
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld waves to troops and family members in Hanger 1 at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Feb. 7, 2003. patriotism and enthusiasm were not lacking at the town hall meeting, held in the hangar packed with more than 1,500 people. In the shadow of a large American flag and an F-16 Fighting Falcon, Rumsfeld played up to the charged atmosphere. "You are all representatives of folks stationed all across the globe, standing on the frontiers of freedom," he said. "We are grateful. The American people are grateful, and you must know that." U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Staci L. Rosenberger