Since 1984, the Air force chiefs have staff have all been former fighter pilots. Before that, they were all bomber pilots.

With the appointment of General Norton Schwartz, who flew C-130s and AC-130s, it’s clear that Robert Gates is slapping down the so called “fighter mafia” hard.

What’s more, Vice Chief is now General William Fraser III, a former bomber pilot, which is another slap at the fighter jock leadership culture.

Maybe now, we can start seeing the Air Force do something useful at the upper leadership.