Comments on: Landmark Speech by Gen. Schwartz

By: Gary Watson

Gary Watson — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 12:48:56 +0000

Hay how about this, Scrap the F-22 and F-35, build new F-15s, F-16s, and new all weather day/night capable A-10s, C-5s, more C-130s and C-17s and we MUST have new tankers, I’d go for the 767 (more flexible and can get into and out of more air strips, a tanker doesn’t need to also be a full fledge cargo aircraft or passenger carrier, but able to augment them). We need to bring back the old Manuals and Regulations, end the marry-go-round of new uniforms, and concentrate on mission, leadership, responsibility and the fact that the USAF is one of the UNIFORM services, which means that we 1. Wear a uniform, 2. Do things in a uniform manner. 3. Take responsibility for your own actions and the actions of your troops, under your command, even if you are an Airman (E-2) in charge of a detail of yourself and an Airman Basic. All personnel should remember that you’ve taken an oath to defend the Constitution, not to play politics or to line your own pockets. You must be flexible in command, and service. We don’t have to spend all of the money in the mint, but need to consider just what is really needed and remember that we are responsible to the American citizen, that’s who we work for.

By: Deja Vu

Deja Vu — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 16:11:39 +0000

It is interesting to watch the Marching Band, Cheerleaders, and Drill Team and Water Boys cheering the firing of the Old Coach. This Coach, in trying to build a good team in preparation for the big game, was declared to be “out of step” with the egalitarian populism of the School’s Administration because he insisted that serious money be spent in recruiting talented players. The Administration however, is more concerned that there might not be enough funds for next week’s homecoming parade and dance which, after all, will benefit more people than just the football players.

Never mind that those applauding the Coach’s firing have always been a bit jealous of the Coach and the players for all the attention they’ve received over the years.

Things will be much better now that our priorities are straight. The New Coach understands that it is more important for the Band and the Drill Team to feel that they are as important as the football players, and if it means losing the big game,well.. that will be a small price to pay for our new feel good atmosphere. Besides, the New Coach knows that he will be retired before the kickoff of the Big Game.

By: ELP

ELP — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 08:24:05 +0000

The military leadership can be bought. Look at the DOD manager of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program. He parrots everything LM says about the jet. A jet which has a lot of problems to solve, has little flight testing done and well given that new build F-16s can do most AEFs ( not all hence F-22s to clear the way )… it seems the program manager has gone native.

USAF is running out of fighters and the F-35 is not the answer. Too much gold plating.

How will the General deal with the never ending congressional gravy train of C-17s all while the C-5 upgrade languishes?

Where is the stand-off jammer (B-52 mod )?

Will the ping-pong game by PowerPoint Warriors by putting maintenance under ops and back and forth ever end?

The General has a lot of work to do.

By: Curtis Lemay

Curtis Lemay — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 06:09:15 +0000

We need the F22s in case we have to fight the Decepticons.

By: LC

LC — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 02:44:17 +0000

I disagree about not needing more Raptors. Our enemies today may not be our enemies tomorrow. The Raptor is needed to maintain air superiority against a peer or near-peer power.

By: Guy

Guy — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 23:41:14 +0000

Wow–what a message–finally. The Core Values just might return after all. Maybe the Thunderbirds don’t need a $50M “Jumbotron” Strategic Messaging billboard afterall, even though a retired 4-star co-owns the company selling them. Maybe, just maybe, we do not need to spend billions on Raptors when our ememies live in populated cities and have no aircraft. Now this is really crazy–maybe we do not need all of the spy hardware, since our enemies mostly communicate in-person and sometimes only use a piece of paper the size of an index card.

There is not a lot of money in consulting if you are not selling aircraft or space satellites. No big money in selling index cards.

Is there a retired General Officer that’s not cashing in on his stars? Anybody that is NOT working for a beltway bandit?

How about this–create a “Save our Generals” fund, or SOG. Get people together to make monthly donations to the retired GOs. For just dollars a day, YOU could sponsor a GO an ensure he/she maintains the lifestyle they are accustomed to–private jets, Mediterranean vacations, European or Pacific Northwest dining (depending upon EADS-Boeing viewpoint) and big ol’ offices!

A lot of GOs out there shilling for contractors. When they were on Active Duty, they were shilling officer promotions for the guys they were sponsoring–with top cover from their retired, contractor-entrenched sponsors. It almost seems like a version of the Sapranos. Look at the number of GOs out there who’s father was a GO. Was it genetics or destiny that brough Jr up through the ranks? Some do make it to the upper ranks on merit and proven ability to perform and get results—and one of those guys FINALLY made it to the top rung. Just what the Air Force needed–just in time.

By: LC

LC — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 22:21:05 +0000

The return of a strategic command?

Disregarding retired Generals shilling for contractors?

The destruction of the fighter pilot mafia?

The Air Force is finally on the right track with the right leader.

Um…can we ditch AFSO21 now?