Tobias Naegele
Tobias Naegele is the editor in chief of Air & Space Forces Magazine. The long-time chief editor of the Military Times group, along with Defense News, he was the founding editor of Marine Corps Times and, before that, Military & Aerospace Electronics. He is no less fascinated by the convergence of technology and military policy, and of telling the military’s stories that he was when he first reported on these topics four decades ago.
Recent stories by Tobias Naegele
Into the Desert: Mobilizing for Desert Shield
The biggest airlift campaign in history wasn’t always pretty. But it worked. It was like picking up the population of a mid-size American city—Atlanta, Kansas City, Sacramento—and moving it halfway around the world. More than a half million people, vehicles,...
Editorial: Epic Challenge
Operation Epic Fury got underway Feb. 28 with the largest assembly of U.S. airpower since 2003: Nearly 300 Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps fighters, 20 bombers, dozens of tankers, and a fleet of electronic warfare, intelligence and surveillance, command...
Gen. John Shaud, Former AFA Boss and SHAPE Commander, Dies at 92
Gen. John Shaud, who led AFA as Executive Director for seven years at the dawn of the 21st century, died at his home in McLean, Va., on March 13 of complications following a stroke. He was 92.
WATCH: Deptula Unpacks the Aging Aircraft Crisis in ‘Year of Readiness’
Retired Lt. Gen. David Deptula, Dean of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, unpacks the keynotes and headline sessions from AFA's 2026 Warfare Symposium to break down why Department of the Air Force leaders are calling this year the “Year of Readiness”—and why the Air ...
Instant Thunder and the Roots of Desert Storm
How a rogue planning cell engineered the most decisive air war in modern history.
Editorial: Deterring Now Costs Less than Winning Later
America’s ability to execute complex military operations may be second to none, but our capacity to fight a prolonged war is in doubt. Our unique technological advantages are eroding, as rivals strive to counter them and catch up. Worse, our defense in depth—that is, the ...
Readiness Is ACC Commander’s Top Priority, But Not His Sole Focus
Readiness and sustainment are the clear priorities for Air Combat Command boss Gen. Adrian “Elmo” Spain, but the career fighter pilot has three other focuses too: Adapting to the strategic environment, modernizing for the future, and empowering leaders at the operational level. “If we [have to] go fight,...
Gene Smith, Former POW and AFA Chair, Dies at 91
Lt. Col. Richard “Gene” Smith, who overcame five and a half years as a prisoner of war in the notorious Hanoi Hilton from 1967 until 1973, died Jan. 16. He was one day short of his 91st birthday.
Dick Cheney’s Legacy with the Air Force
Dick Cheney, who died Nov. 3 at 84, is best remembered by most Americans as among the most powerful Vice Presidents in history, a consummate Washington insider who had previously served in the Nixon administration, was Chief of Staff for President Gerald Ford, a Congressman ...
Natalie Crawford, Icon of USAF Analysis and Modernization, Dies at 86
Natalie Crawford, whose analysis helped shape and build Air Force modernization for decades, has died at 86. Crawford, who joined RAND Corp. in 1964 and spent more than 60 years as an analyst and expert there, was an influential and instrumental voice in the development ...
Editorial: A Letter to the Next CSAF
Dear Chief, Congratulations on your selection. Just two dozen men have survived the culling to become Chief of Staff. Over the years I’ve interviewed 13 of them, plus perhaps two dozen other members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Here’s...
WORLD: DAF
Allvin’s Retirement Casts Shadow on ‘Re-Optimization’ With his Aug. 18 announcement that he would retire this fall, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin ended months of speculation about his future and marked his tenure as among the shortest...
Meet Troy Meink
Growing up, Troy Meink wanted to be a pilot, then an astronaut. He joined the Air Force, but his eyesight wasn't up to pilot standards, and the pilot dream was dashed. He began as a navigator, shifted into acquisition and space. He built airplanes in ...
Allvin’s Departure Could Spell End of Major ‘Re-Optimization’ Initiatives
Among the 14 general officers dismissed or retiring early since President Trump took office in January, two appear likely to have long-term institutional impact for the Air Force: the departures of Vice Chief of Staff Gen. James Slife in February and the pending retirement of ...
Ukraine’s Operation Spiderweb Has Implications for Golden Dome
Ukraine’s Operation Spiderweb attack on Russian air bases is causing the Pentagon to revise its approach to air and homeland defense.
