Reporter's Notebook

Airmen question defense secretary

I know this is a drab picture, but I thought it captured the sullen atmosphere within Langely Air Force Base’s theatre before and during Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ first speech since axing the Air Force’s two top service chiefs.

Throughout his prepared comments Gates rehashed mostly what he said last week about his refusal to accept the Air Force’s declining nuclear standards before dropping the bomb at the end saying he would halt all personnel reductions. Talk about burying the lead (sorry journalism speak). Either way, the senior master sergeant sitting in front of me apparently agreed with everything he was saying as she continued to shake her head emphatically in approval when he described how disappointed he was that he had to step in to improve an eroding situation.

Gates also announced his nominations to replace the service chiefs tapping Gen. Norton Schwartz, head of Transportation Command, to take over as chief of staff and Michael Donley to take over as Air Force Secretary. The airmen I spoke to throughout the day mostly supported the decision saying how shocked they were that the nuclear situation had gotten so bad, and others said they looked forward to an Air Force not run by a fighter pilot. First time since 1982. Apparently quite a few airmen are tired of the “fighter mafia” having a choke hold over their service. Gates apparently agrees.

The Langley theater might have livened up during a question and answer session held by Gates with airmen after his speech, but the press corps was hurriedly rushed out of the theater before it could start. The defense secretary wanted to provide and “inside the family” type atmosphere.

Later on the plane, Gates’ media flak filled the press in on what they missed explaining how the defense secretary received exactly 20 questions (isn’t that convenient) and had a wide range of airmen as low as a master sergeant and as high ranking as a brigadier general weigh in. As a fellow member of the traveling media accurately stated later: “If I referred to a master sergeant as a low ranking my email would be packed with complaints.”

Rankings aside, Gates was happy to finally clear the air with a group of airmen as he sounded beat down most of the day after what I’m sure was a long week deciding to take the unprecedented move of firing both officials. After speaking with airmen he said both he and those who filled the brick base theater benefitted.

This is Gates’ response after he was asked what he felt the mood within the Air Force ranks.

“What they seem to me is very professional. Ready to move on. I think they understand there is a problem that needs to be dealt with. I believe they appreciate it. My willingness to talk to them face to face and not only explain why I made the decision I made but then stand up and take questions for almost an hour as a gesture of respect to them.”

We shall see, he has two more bases left on the trip. I’m hoping those airmen are also lucky enough to have Get Smart opening already in their base theater’s.