National Prayer Observance Breakfast

Col. Gerald Houge, the senior agency staff chaplain at Headquarters Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, spoke to members of Team Incirlik as a guest speaker during the National Prayer Observance breakfast held Feb. 28, 2011, at the consolidated club. The annual National Prayer Observance is a traditional event where the president, members of congress and other government leaders gather to reaffirm our nation’s spiritual heritage and to seek divine guidance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Anthony J. Hyatt/Released)

National Prayer Observance Breakfast

Col. Eric Beene, the 39th Air Base Wing commander, presents Col. Gerald Houge a memento from Incirlik Air Base during the National Prayer Observance breakfast held Feb. 28, 2011, at the consolidated club. Chaplain Houge was the guest speaker at the event and he shared his stories and experiences with audience. The annual National Prayer Observance is a traditional event where the president, members of congress and other government leaders gather to reaffirm our nation’s spiritual heritage and to seek divine guidance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Anthony J. Hyatt/Released)

Top AF intel agency chaplain speaks at Incirlik National Prayer observance

Published March 4, 2011
By Senior Airman Anthony J. Hyatt
39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- Team Incirlik received a special visit during its National Prayer Observance breakfast, hosted by the base chapel, Feb. 28, at the consolidated club here.

Col. Gerald Houge, the senior agency staff chaplain at Headquarters Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, spoke to members of Team Incirlik during the National Prayer Observance breakfast.

The annual National Prayer Observance is a traditional event where the president, members of congress and other government leaders gather to reaffirm our nation's spiritual heritage and to seek divine guidance, according to Master Sgt. Eric Nelson, the master of ceremonies of the event.

"It was an honor to be invited by the 39th Air Base Wing commander, Col. Eric Beene, to speak at this year's National Prayer Breakfast," said Chaplain Houge.

Chaplain Houge, who was deployed to Incirlik 20 years ago during Desert Storm, was glad to return. He shared his stories and experiences of being a chaplain and a wingman with the audiences during the breakfast.

It was special to come back and see some of the places that have lots of meaning to me, he said.

As a chaplain during Desert Storm, Chaplain Houge took care of the Airmen who operated the night missions at Incirlik by providing prayers and being there for moral support.

"Chaplain Houge reminded us that we need to take care of one another. Not leaving an Airman behind is not just about the battlefield, but it is about life," said Chaplain (Capt.) Ronald Feeser, 39th ABW chaplain. "If we strive to support those around us then the rest will take care of itself."

Colonel Beene described Chaplain Houge as an indispensable member of the Air Force.

"Having him back here today just reaffirms the strength, the power, the value that he contributed every night and every day to the lives of so many Airmen," said the 39th ABW commander.

Chaplain Houge will also travel to Izmir and Ankara, geographically separated units of the 39th Air Base Wing, to speak at their National Prayer Observance breakfasts.