Gates recommends new Air Force leaders
June 10, 2008
Louis Hansen - The Virginian-PilotIssue date: 6/5/08 Section: Real News
HAMPTON, Va. _ Secretary of Defense Robert Gates announced a halt to Air Force personnel reductions on Monday at Langley Air Force Base, seeking to reassure airmen in the wake of a leadership upheaval.
Earlier in the day, Gates had recommended new civilian and military leaders for the Air Force to President Bush.
Gates tapped Michael Donley, director of administration and management for the Department of Defense, to serve as secretary of the Air Force. Gen. Norton Schwartz, commander of the Transportation Command at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, has been recommended for Air Force chief of staff.
Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne and Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael "Buzz" Moseley resigned last week in the wake of an investigation into poor safeguards of the nation's nuclear arsenal.
Speaking to a packed auditorium of about 400 uniformed personnel at Langley, Gates highlighted the sacrifices airmen and their families have made since the first Gulf War.
Despite being engaged in two wars, the Air Force planned to eliminate more than 10 percent of its active duty personnel between 2006 and 2010 to pay for new jet fighters and fuel tankers. The force now stands at 333,000, according to the military.
Gates said he would immediately stop further reductions.
Each service must be modernized and build its future capabilities, he acknowledged. "But we are damn sure also going to spend and do everything necessary to win the wars we are in."
Gates bluntly addressed the dismissals.
"I assume that some and maybe most of you disagree with my decision," he said during the 20-minute speech. But he said the changes were necessary after an investigation and report by Adm. Kirkland Donald, director of Navy nuclear propulsion.
Donald investigated Air Force procedures after nuclear-tipped warheads were mistakenly flown across country, and parts to nuclear weapons were erroneously shipped to Taiwan.
Donald found major problems in the handling and safeguarding of the country's nuclear arsenal. The report also cited a decline in expertise and funding for the program.
Earlier in the day, Gates had recommended new civilian and military leaders for the Air Force to President Bush.
Gates tapped Michael Donley, director of administration and management for the Department of Defense, to serve as secretary of the Air Force. Gen. Norton Schwartz, commander of the Transportation Command at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, has been recommended for Air Force chief of staff.
Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne and Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael "Buzz" Moseley resigned last week in the wake of an investigation into poor safeguards of the nation's nuclear arsenal.
Speaking to a packed auditorium of about 400 uniformed personnel at Langley, Gates highlighted the sacrifices airmen and their families have made since the first Gulf War.
Despite being engaged in two wars, the Air Force planned to eliminate more than 10 percent of its active duty personnel between 2006 and 2010 to pay for new jet fighters and fuel tankers. The force now stands at 333,000, according to the military.
Gates said he would immediately stop further reductions.
Each service must be modernized and build its future capabilities, he acknowledged. "But we are damn sure also going to spend and do everything necessary to win the wars we are in."
Gates bluntly addressed the dismissals.
"I assume that some and maybe most of you disagree with my decision," he said during the 20-minute speech. But he said the changes were necessary after an investigation and report by Adm. Kirkland Donald, director of Navy nuclear propulsion.
Donald investigated Air Force procedures after nuclear-tipped warheads were mistakenly flown across country, and parts to nuclear weapons were erroneously shipped to Taiwan.
Donald found major problems in the handling and safeguarding of the country's nuclear arsenal. The report also cited a decline in expertise and funding for the program.
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