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Letters

Defending Goldfein

“True character is on display when adversity strikes.” This has become my favorite quote over the past three weeks, ever since the Defense Department Inspector General’s Office released its report on alleged contracting improprieties at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. When newspapers across the country grabbed the story and posted Maj. Gen. Stephen Goldfein’s picture all over the news [“Major general disciplined,” April 28], I, along with everyone who has ever served with this officer, was outraged. You see, not only is Maj. Gen. Goldfein the finest officer I have ever known, he is my brother.

While readers will think this is just a brother standing up for his sibling, it is really an attempt to allow you to get to know my brother like I do, and perhaps question whether the price he has paid, both personally and professionally, is appropriate given the alleged offense.

First, my brother Steve is a true patriot who embodies the core values of our Air Force: integrity first, service before self, excellence in all we do. From his days as a wing commander at the Air Force Academy to his days commanding at squadron, group and wing levels, he has become well known for his quiet and steady demeanor. He is one of those guys you want to be near when things go south. I have never known him to lose his cool — with maybe one exception, on the golf course ... but it really was a bad shot.

Second, my brother is an honest man. In his 30-year career, I have never known him to do anything other than the right thing. While the recent press has certainly tarnished his reputation, those who know Maj. Gen. Steve Goldfein and have worked with him remain absolutely convinced that in the case of the Nellis contracting issue, he was doing what he has always done: the right thing in his heart for the Air Force and nation. There was no personal gain. There was no agenda. I seriously question whether there was any true influencing (as have others who were there in the room). Why? Because it would be completely out of sync with how he has handled himself and treated his subordinates over the past 30 years.

My brother is a good man. I have never been more proud to be his brother than right now. When I sent him a note to express my outrage at how he was being treated, he told me to “slow down ... true character is on display when adversity strikes. We must remain true to our leadership and the institution we serve.” Just like him — always the calm, clear thinker seeing this not just as a challenge but as an opportunity to teach us all how to act when adversity strikes.

This is not the man who has been portrayed in this and other newspapers. However, he will survive this and go on to lead in another organization that will be lucky to get him. [It will be] our incredible loss. We have far too few truly inspirational leaders to let them be cast aside. I just hope you now know him like I know him, the finest officer and man I know.

Brig. Gen. Dave Goldfein

Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

Del Toro left in limbo

As an active joint terminal attack controller, I am disheartened to see the Air Force leave Tech. Sgt. Israel Del Toro stranded in limbo while awaiting a final decision regarding his service [“Severely burned airman continues path to recovery,” April 28].

I think we can all agree that being blown up by an improvised explosive device, having his skin melted off and enduring 96 surgeries should have earned Del Toro a stay in the service. Yet the Air Force’s silence says loud and clear what its position is.

What does this say to the JTAC, combat controller or security forces airman ordered into harm’s way? What of the supply or finance troop who gets tasked to man a .50-cal on convoy escort duty? Should we all worry now that getting seriously injured in the line of duty will net us a pat on the back, a plaque with the unit coin on it and a “thanks a lot, now please leave quietly”?

Del Toro epitomized the Air Force’s core values before he was injured and continues to do so to this day. He deserves all the best and that includes keeping his job. Del Toro is the type of airman the Air Force needs. And the type of Air Force that its people need is the kind that will live up to its own core values.

Staff Sgt. Matt Scott

Baumholder, Germany

UAV fatigue

A study conducted by the Naval Postgraduate School found that Predator aircrews’ six-days-on, three-days-off schedule, rotating day, swing and night shifts, was causing “chronic fatigue, emotional exhaustion, burnout and impaired domestic relationships” [“Too pooped to pilot,” May 5].

I know most of the airmen I worked with during 10 years in security forces would have loved to work this type of schedule. Eight-hour days were rare before Sept. 11, 2001, and have not been seen after. If UAV aircrews think this is too much to handle, I don’t know that I want them flying traditional aircraft in the combat zone.

If it is too difficult, make UAV operation a special-duty assignment open to any officer. This would take the pressure off current operators while giving officers in a multitude of career fields a chance to increase their participation in combat operations.

2nd Lt. Frank Mailki

Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas

Ban on skin mags

In “Bill would boot Penthouse, Playboy out of exchanges” [May 5], Rep. Paul Broun’s spokesman, John Kennedy, uses one of the most absurd lines of reasoning that I’ve ever heard: “Because taxpayer dollars are ‘used to pay military salaries ... taxpayer money is in effect being used to buy these materials.’” This kind of addlepated logic leads us down a dangerous path.

Are some people addicted to pornography? Yes. Yet we surely have just as many, if not more, airmen addicted to alcohol. Do you also propose to make the military Class Six stores stop selling all alcohol?

Any addiction is bad — and, yes, I shouldn’t have to worry that my children are going to be exposed to adult entertainment magazines at the base exchange. However, each of us must make our own choices and deal with the consequences. You have no right to tell me how to spend my salary. Surely on such an important issue as this you can come up with at least a hint of a logical argument that might persuade me to your cause.

Capt. Rob LaMore

Barksdale Air Force Base, La.

Would Rep. Paul Broun please stop trying to legislate morality? Does he really think that banning Playboy from base exchanges will magically make men and women stop looking at porn? Is he really so ignorant as to believe that the availability of these magazines somehow causes an escalation in violent sexual crimes?

Congressman Broun, if you are going to make these kinds of claims, you need to back them up with some facts that can be independently verified. Until then, please stop trying to be a morality cop on the beat and start focusing on the real problems the military is facing today: extended deployments, broken and inadequate equipment and an ongoing war with no clear objective.

Tech. Sgt. Ross Stotz

Holloman Air Force Base, N.M.