More on the F-22 Story

More on the F-22 Story: After we published “The F-22, Bagel and a Smear” on Monday, we had a conversation with R. Jeffrey Smith, the Washington Post reporter who wrote the story in question in that item. Mr. Smith vigorously disputed our statement that the Post did not contact the Air Force for comment before printing its July 10 story about the fighter. Mr. Smith, in a statement to us, said that “the newspaper had many contacts with the Air Force to discuss the F-22 program and maintenance issues prior to publication.” We won’t dispute that; Mr. Smith is right. The Air Force initially told us that it had been the one to approach Mr. Smith, upon hearing of his impending story from the Office of the Secretary of Defense. However, an Air Force spokesperson has now corrected that comment, saying that Mr. Smith did, in fact approach the Air Force directly, some time ago, about the F-22. We wish we had known that earlier, so we could have avoided the error.

7/15/2009

Verbatim

Appreciative Host
"I know you're here during a difficult time. You're here through Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. I promise you, we will find turkeys."
—Republic of Lithuania Chief of Defence Maj. Gen. Arvydas Pocius, expressing his thanks to airmen of the 493rd Fighter Squadron from RAF Lakenheath, Britain, who on Sept. 1, 2010, began a four-month stint with their F-15s in Lithuania to protect the airspace of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania under NATO's Baltic air policing mission.

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Family Momentum
"In many ways, this was what the Year of the Air Force Family was all about—connecting airmen and their families with the resources they need. I have confidence the Air Force will capitalize on this strong momentum in the years ahead by continuing to improve our family support programs and ensuring people know what resources are available."
—Suzie Schwartz, wife of USAF Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz, commenting on the accomplishments of the Year of the Air Force Family initiative that concluded in July, in a statement provided to the Daily Report, Aug. 22, 2010.