New Defense Secretary Robert Gates has a markedly different style of dealing with the military services than Donald Rumsfeld, a senior USAF official explained earlier this week. Whereas Rumsfeld would grant audiences with the Service Chiefs on a rare, “as really needed” basis, Gates meets with the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the “tank” about once a week. When Rumsfeld did meet with the Chiefs, the meetings were large affairs with many backbenchers. Gates, on the other hand, meets with his Chiefs without aides. The USAF official commented that Rumsfeld seemed to derive benefit from a large, lively discussion with many inputs, while Gates prefers to concentrate on a few people at a time.
Pilot Unharmed After F-22 Mishap in Georgia
May 6, 2024
The Air Force is investigating a mishap involving an F-22 fighter jet that took place at about 11:30 a.m. on May 6 at the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, Ga.