Secretary Donley, Lt. Gen Gabreski to visit Tinker for ceremony Published Oct. 17, 2008 By Ralph Monson Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., -- Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Lt. Gen. Terry Gabreski, Air Force Materiel Command vice commander, are among a host of military and civic leaders who will visit Tinker next week to participate in a special Tinker Aerospace Complex ceremony. The ceremony, which will be held Thursday, recognizes the Sept. 24 signing of a low-cost, long-term Air Force lease with Oklahoma County for 407 acres of land and 3.8 million gross square feet of real property, of which 3.5 million square feet is industrial and administrative space. The leased property is the site of the new Tinker Aerospace Complex. Secretary Donley said the community initiative to acquire the facility and lease it to the Air Force is "... yet another example of how the great state of Oklahoma and Tinker's surrounding communities work together in an unprecedented partnership to preserve and enhance our national security." He also said the facility will enhance operations at Tinker and provide long term benefits to the Air Force. The event, which includes a community-hosted breakfast and a formal ceremony at the TAC, will also be attended by several Oklahoma congressional members, state and Oklahoma County officials and other community leaders. During the visit, the secretary and General Gabreski are expected to visit several Tinker units. The secretary will also participate in a town hall session with Tinker personnel. Details of the town hall event will be provided through individual unit command channels.