Journey
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Suzie: Always. And that became our thing. Whenever Norty really pissed me off, the worst insult I could ever say to him was, “You’re acting like just McPeak.” Then he knew that whatever he did was really bad.
Norty: It’s true. Whenever I heard that, I understood that I had crossed the line. But that experience was one of those object lessons that you remember vividly and that affects the way you perform.
Always treat people with dignity and respect, and don’t shoot the messenger.
A glimpse of a too serious new teenager attaining a religious milestone, my bar mitzvah. Schwartz personal collection
Me, Skip Sanders, Bob Munson, Mike Mosier, and Bill Chambers “relaxing” at the Air Force Academy. Schwartz personal collection
My father did not want me to play … I'm glad he conceded against his better judgment. Schwartz personal collection
This was an exerpt my dad saved … he was quietly proud. Schwartz personal collection
I served as Wing Operations Officer for the Fall term of our senior year. Kees Rietsema was the Cadet Wing Commander. Schwartz personal collection
Captain Bob Woods, our Air Officer Commanding, swearing me in as a 2nd Lieutenant in our nation's Air Force. Bob ultimately retired as a Brig Gen. Schwartz personal collection
My father and me during graduation week. How 'bout that sport coat! Schwartz personal collection
In the days before settling down, I was an active sport parachutist. Here with friend John Butterfield at the Hartwood, VA, drop zone. Schwartz personal collection
Suzie and I are married on June 6, 1981 with my surrogate parents, Al and Barbara Navas. Schwartz personal collection
Mike Gecan, Dick Schmidt, and Merrill Yeary comprised the cockpit element of the “All Lt Crew.” Schwartz personal collection
Colonel Al Navas assumes command of the 374th Tactical Airlift Wing from General Carlton, then Commander of Military Airlift Command. Colonel Baginski observes at right. USAF photo by TSGT Charles L. Huck Jr.
Suzie and I return to Hurlburt Field to assume command of the 16th Special Operations Wing … no better job in our Air Force. Schwartz personal collection
Suzie and me in the late ’80s. Schwartz personal collection
On the patio of the Hurlburt Field Officers Club, I am promoted to Brigadier General by Maj Gen Jim Hobson. General Wayne Downing, responsible for that outcome, observes in the background. Schwartz personal collection
The classic picture of BG Dick Potter, USA, leading the way in rescuing displaced Kurds during Operation Provide Comfort in the mountains of northern Iraq. Note the expanse of refugees in the background. Schwartz personal collection
What a privilege it was to lead the 16th SOW, pictured here in front of an MC-130E, Combat Talon, special operations aircraft. USAF photo
Chief of Staff Ron Fogelman pulled no punches when he showed up to ask me how it felt for me to lead the “suicide capital of the Air Force.” Hurlburt Field, 1997. Schwartz personal collection
One of many exercises in Korea … taking a fitness break supporting Ulchi Focus Lens outside Seoul. Schwartz personal collection
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, General Dick Myers and Suzie pin the fourth star in the Pentagon Hall of Heroes. DoD photo by Darrell Hudson
Although I had the honor of attending the Combatant Commanders' White House conference as Director of the Joint Staff, this was the first time Suzie and I were invited to stay for dinner with the president. January 3, 2006, Commander, U.S. Transportation Command. Official White House photo
Between the Joint Chiefs and Combatant Commanders, there were 68 “stars” joining (l to r) Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England, Vice President Dick Cheney, President Bush, and Secretary of Defense Bob Gates at the January 2007 White House conference. Official White House photo by Shealah Craighead
Now as Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Suzie and I joined the Obamas for our last visit to the White House in May 2012. Official White House photo by Lawrence Jackson
Visiting with our dear friend General George Casey, Commander of ISAF, during his 30-month tour in Baghdad. Schwartz personal collection
Suzie was the last spouse to visit Afghanistan in April 2008 as the security situation then became more challenging. USAF photo by MSgt Demetrius Lester
One of the responsibilities of the Transportation Command leadership was to cultivate relationships with those international partners who provided access to their port facilities, in this case Kuwait. Schwartz personal collection
Suzie met with Afghan women from many fields of endeavor at some risk to their personal safety. USAF photo by MSgt Demetrius Lester
Secretary of the Air Force Mike Donley formally passes the flag to me upon assuming the role as Chief of Staff of the USAF. It was a beautiful and warm day on the Ceremonial Lawn at Bolling AFB, DC. USAF photo by Scott M. Ash
What a special day … and was it ever cold … celebrating the inauguration of the new president. Schwartz personal collection
Gen George Casey, now Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, me, and our staffs engaging in essential staff talks in Feb., 2009. This was not a photo op, but a forum for real work on issues of mutual warfighting concern. USA photo
Admiral Gary Roughead, the Chief of Naval Operations, and I worked together to produce the Air-Sea Battle concept. It was a signature piece of work for both of our Services. USAF photo by Scott Ash
The first time Suzie met Secretary Rumsfeld she was not shy about expressing her displeasure about some of his policies. He took it all in stride; in fact, telling her that she reminded him a lot of his wife. They met many times through the years. Schwartz personal collection
President Obama holds a briefing on Afghanistan with the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the Situation Room at the White House on October 30, 2009. It was a somber meeting as he went around the table asking each of us for our candid opinion on troop strength. Official White House photo by Pete Souza
This was the final meeting to address the approach for reforming the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. Official White House photo
A 2010 meeting with President Obama in the Cabinet Room where I addressed nuclear preparedness. Official White House photo by Pete Souza
I had the extraordinary honor to award the Air Force Cross and Purple Heart to Staff Sergeant Zach Rhyner at Pope AFB near Fort Bragg, NC. Zach earned yet another Purple Heart during a subsequent tour of duty and he medically retired Aug. 21, 2015. USAF photo
Military service is a team sport. Families support the service of their loved ones in so many ways. Here I shook hands with Jesse Bramblett at Little Rock AFB, AR. He and his mom experienced a tornado that damaged their home while Staff Sergeant Bramblett was deployed to Iraq. Suzie and I check on the family and the progress of repairs. USAF photo by Airman 1st Class Rusty Frank
All of us stand on the shoulders of predecessors. General Lew Allen was the Chief of Staff of the Air Force during my first tour in Pentagon in 1980. Here I do my best, as a successor, to acknowledge and comfort his spouse on his passing at Arlington National Cemetary. USAF photo by Senior Airman Marleah Miller
Nothing is as difficult as providing honors and comfort to the family of the fallen at a military funeral at Arlington National Cemetary. Here is a young man who will have only memories of his fallen father. USAF photo
A solemn duty is to welcome the fallen home at Dover AFB, MD. On this night in Oct. 2009, the President, the Attorney General, and I welcome home eighteen U.S. casualties of war in Afghanistan. Official White House photo by Pete Souza
One of the controversial matters the Joint Chiefs dealt with in 2010 was the potential repeal of the “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” policy. In addition to meetings at the White House, the Chiefs also testified before Congress. The final hearing with with the Senate Armed Services Committee in December, 2010. USAF photo by Scott M. Ash
Not my strong suit, but an essential part of the job was keeping the American people and the media well informed. Penta
gon Press Room, January 2012. DoD photo By Glenn Fawcett
There are many hearings on Capitol Hill where a Service Chief must make his or her case for the needs of the Service. In this case, it was the House Armed Services Committee. Note then Maj Gen Lori Robinson over my right shoulder. She is now four-star General Robinson, Commander of U.S. Northern Command, the first female officer to command a major Unified Combatant Command in the history of the United States Armed Forces. USAF photo by Jim Varhegyi
Suzie and I shared the holidays with our Airmen. Here we celebrate the holidays with those on duty protecting our intercontinental ballistic missiles at F. E. Warren AFB, WY. USAF Photo
Spouse Clubs around the Air Force support all manner of worthy projects, including scholarships and sponsorships through their fund-raising activities. Schwartz personal collection
Suzie is always warm, friendly, and engaging. USAF photo by Airman 1st Class Cory D. Payne
Suzie cuts the ribbon for a renovated playground, reflecting her focus on the quality of our support to Air Force families. USAF photo by Roland Balik
Preparing military members and spouses for leadership roles they may assume is an important responsibility. Suzie participated in many seminars for prospective Wing Commander spouses at Maxwell AFB, AL. USAF photo by Wendy Simonds
While I don’t consider myself to be a particularly pious Jew, so often events or situations take me back to earlier times and remind me how significant those core Judaic principles—and traditions—are to my foundation. Here I light the menorah in the Hall of Heroes, at a Chanukah reception at the Pentagon.
A grand Air Force tradition is the “fini-flight.” On July 12, 2012, I flew my last flight in MC-130E tail number 64-0568. It's an airplane I had flown extensively over the years and it was soon to be retired to the “Boneyard” in Arizona … somewhat like me. USAF photo by TSgt Samuel King Jr.
Nothing can surpass the joy of sharing that final flight with my girl, who had so much to do with making it all possible. The champagne tasted just fine too. USAF photo by SSgt David Salanitri
It doesn't get any better. USAF photo by SSgt John Bainter
My last day and final departure from the Pentagon after nearly forty years of service. I was surprised how emotional it turned out to be. When I saw Suzie at the bottom of the staircase at the River Entrance, I just lost it. USAF photo by MSgt Cecilio Ricardo
Neither one of us left anything in the gas tank. Mike Donley, Secretary of the Air Force, recognizes Suzie for her incredible dedication and service. USAF photo by Scott M. Ash
Not to be outdone, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta recognizes Suzie at the retirement ceremony as well. She was and remains a role model for military spouses everywhere. In retirement, she continues to mentor in the CAPSTONE course for new flag officer spouses. USAF photo by Michael J. Pausic
Air House is the residence of the Air Force Chief of Staff at Ft. Myer, VA. It is one of seven homes on the hill at Ft. Myer, situated between the homes of the Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. USAF photo
In retirement, I work for a well-regarded Washington nonprofit, Business Executives for National Security. In that capacity, I testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee in Dec. 2015 without the pressure routinely experienced on active duty.
Chapter Four
YOU’RE NO OMAR BRADLEY
JUNE 1995–SEPTEMBER 2000
The last time Suzie had seen General Hobson (by then the two-star head of Air Force Special Operations Command) was when I wrapped up my time at Hurlburt as a major. “You’ll never see us here again,” she had told the commander, elated to be moving on and leaving Special Ops (and its inherent dangers) behind. But times had changed and hopes were high that I would be promoted to brigadier general, making me eligible to command that same wing.
General Hobson happened to be speaking at an Air Force birthday event we attended in Washington. He spoke about the state of Air Force special operations, which certainly captured my attention. Suzie, however, seemed restless—kind of like a top fuel dragster revving its engine at the starting line. It’s not going anywhere quite yet, but when the light turns green, 10,000 horsepower of raw power will leave you in its dust.
Somewhere between the general’s “Thank you for having me” and the first applause, Suzie had made it up to the front, waiting to corner him as he stepped off the dais. “Please, please, please, please can we come back to Hurlburt and live on the Sound in the house right next to you?” Suzie pleaded with him. I was totally mortified; she was basically begging him to assign me as his wing commander. He just smiled at her and remained silent, but to this day he razzes me about it. Independent of her pleas (I think), I did get the promotion and the wing commander assignment, and it was one of the real highlights of our career.
By this time we had made many moves, but this one back to Florida was the first time we drove down together. “General Norty Schwartz … Has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?” Suzie asked rhetorically. The truth is that wing commander is something we had always aspired to do together; it was yet another shared dream coming to fruition. We lived in the wing commander’s home on Hume Drive, right next to Jim and Diane Hobson, who occupied the AFSOC commander’s house.
So there I was, an Air Force brigadier general select, about to take over an Air Force wing. It turned out to be yet another example of how very much my career was influenced by the Army, and in particular by highly respected soldiers who were pioneers of the special operations community.
General Wayne Downing was known as the “father of the modern Rangers,” and he’s certainly a member of that short list who paved the way. At the time, General Downing was commander of U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM). We had known each other since he was Colonel Downing, actually, when he was the first director of the SOCOM Washington office and its predecessor at the Pentagon from 1987 to 1988. No doubt he had heard about me from Potter, and he tried to hire me from the Air Staff to go downstairs and work for him. We had a lengthy interview that couldn’t have gone any better. But once again fate stepped in, and just when I was about to accept his offer, I received word of the flying command opportunity at McChord AFB in Washington State, and there was no way that I could pass that up—which he certainly understood.
Later on he became more familiar with me during the time that I was the operations group commander, because he was the JSOC commander then, and we had a fair amount of interaction on ops and mission related issues. In fact, I’m sure that he had to sign off on me coming to Hurlburt as the wing commander.
I was honored to have him attend my change-of-command ceremony. He approached me at the Friday morning reception just as Suzie had handed me a piece of cake. He was smiling as he offered me congratulations, but it was one of those smiles where I could tell that something was bothering him.
He glanced down at the silver eagle rank insignia on my epaulet, and asked, “When are you going to pin on?” He was curious as to when I would actually begin wearing my general officer star.
“Well sir, you know, General Fogleman is not too keen on frocking.” Frocking is a U.S. military term for a commissioned officer selected for promotion wearing the insignia of the higher grade before the official date of promotion (the “date of rank”). In this case, General Downing felt it was appropriate that as wing commander I wear the star, since I had already been approved and listed on the promotions list. General Ron Fogleman, Air Force Chief of Staff, did not agree with that logic. Since my formal date of rank for brigadier general was not until January 1, he felt it appropriate that I continue to wear the colonel rank until then.
“Okay, I’ll call Ron,” Downing said, true to his reputation of never letting the bureaucracy get in his way when it was impeding a cause in which he believed.
Apparently he did call the Chief, because I got a call from Hobson that Tuesday. He said, “We are going to frock you on Thursday.”
Suzie was in the car with me at the t
ime. “You’re not going to believe this but they’re going to frock me,” I told her.
“As well they should! It’ll be fun to have the family back down here again. Let me look at our calendar and pick a good date, maybe the middle of next month?”
“You don’t understand. They’re talking about Thursday, the day after tomorrow!”
We had just enough time to order another cake, but that was about it. The family had just come down for the change of command, so very few of them made it back for the promotion ceremony. Suzie was disappointed; she felt that it was somewhat anticlimactic with all the rushing, felt that I deserved more since becoming a general is such a significant milestone. But I thought General Hobson did a wonderful job with the pinning, out on a little patio in the rear of the Hurlburt club. And you won’t hear me complain about the way it all played out—getting frocked was extremely rare, and to have a man of General Downing’s stature step up for me like that—it’s humbling. And General Downing prevailed. It’s an Army thing. Downing wanted to have the airmen at SOW at an equal level with others in the Special Ops community. It was about stature. He didn’t want to have me wait because people would get used to me as a colonel—he wanted this to happen quickly. In fact, I think he was a tinge miffed that it didn’t happen at the change of command.