Defense S
ecretary Robert Gates sat in the cockpit of one of the Air Force’s F-22A Raptors during a visit to Langley AFB, Va. Seated in the new stealthy fighter, Gates listened to a review of its attributes from Lt. Col. Dirk Smith, commander of Langley’s 94th Fighter Squadron. Smith had just returned to Langley from the first participation by the Raptor in Red Flag at Nellis AFB, Nev.
Airmen basic rarely go on to become four-star generals, but one who did retired last week after a 42 year career that saw him rise from a lowly slick-sleeve to the head of one of the Air Force’s most important major commands.