SecDef going hunting; adds two pelts to office wall

By now you know the facts: the top civilian and military officials in the USAF have been axed. There were a lot of potential reasons for head-hunting, but it seems the loose nukes problem was the straw that broke the camel's back:

“Mistakes are not acceptable when shipping and controlling sensitive, classified parts” of the United States’ nuclear arsenal, Mr. Gates said. “Our policy is clear. We will ensure the complete physical control of nuclear weapons, and we will properly handle the associated components at all times. It is a tremendous responsibility, and one we must not, and will never, take lightly.”

Memo to the presidential candidates: Make a pact to support the renomination of Gates regardless of November's results. We can't lose the contribution of a public servant capable of taking on the services and restoring the good name of "civilian control" that Rumsfeld sullied. If Gates can go beyond administrative incompetence and start holding general officers accountable for combat performance, he may go down as the best Secretary of Defense since James Schlesinger, who just happens to heading up the task force investigating the nuclear woes of the USAF.

As for the fallout from yesterday's dismissals, the defense industry is already feeling the pressure. The USAF had played congress and industry against the OSD on several issues, most notably F-22 procurement. With Gates determined to exert some semblance of constitutional control over the Pentagon, the next eight months will be very interesting, starting with the KC-X challenge, which will require a ruling by June 19th. Stay tuned as the USAF tries to adapt to the new command environment while holding out for a more permissive successor administration. I'm sure the Army and Navy will be keeping a weather eye on the horizon as well.

In light of Gates' action, allow me to make one overtly political point. Given the backgrounds of the two presidential political candidates, who is more likely to build upon the Gates tenure? Put another way, who has the experience and standing to confront the generals on their own turf? The Hah-vard boy who relies on the support of effete, anti-defense liberals, or the war veteran who has built his career on combating wasteful spending? I would expect a victorious McCain to appeal to Gates to remain at his current post. I would also expect a victorious Obama to get his clock cleaned should he dare to meddle in the affairs of the E-Ring.