Tuesday, June 17, 2008

New Chief Of Staff


The Secretary of Defense announced last week that he would recommend Gen. Norton Schwartz to serve as chief of staff. I’ve done some checking and this I feel will be a great choice of a new leader for the Air Force. The bottom line is that General Schwartz is neither a bomber nor fighter pilot; his background is in airlifters and Special Operations, perfect for the ongoing war on terror.
His nomination is great since finally the fighter pilot mafia that has been in charge seemingly forever and during the curent disastrous draw down and sacrifice of the force for the Raptor and other pet systems should come to an end. His appointment should allow the Air Staff to get back to fundamentals that have been pushed off the table. Items like decent electronic warfare, improved airlift and an increase in the size and scope of our special operations forces. Hopefully there will be an increase in accountability so the boys in the flying club mentality that has so permeated the upper echelons of Air Force leadership can be washed away.
I wish General Schwartz good luck and smooth air as he takes over an organization that needs a shot of real leadership.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I believe in the Air Force it is worse. The Air Force has a habit of telling others to turn their head and when they don't they are punished. I have seen this at the Air Force Academy where a flying squadron commander was told exactly what was going on and told the individual to turn their head. The individual said no and the squadron commander removed him and has continued to take every action against him. He is now dealing with a truck accident and is now blaming someone else for this rather then admitting he knows what goes on during these trips. This problem in the Air Force is entrenched and will not go away until this view is gotten rid of.