he went out to -- general goldfein went out and met with boeing but also flew the aircraft. this is an aircraft that is designed to be able to fly steady without spilling people's coffee in the back. he said it is a very smooth aircraft. that is also the same characteristic that you want for a tanker and the chief is an f-16 pilot, f-117 and several other air frames, but what you really want in a tanker is it flying at a constant speed, constant altitude so that you are not trying to match that aircraft coming in to tank, you just want them smooth and not spilling the coffee and it's a very similar kind of profile from a flight profile. with respect to how the aircraft flies, that's a very good way to have purchased the equipment rather than designed something new. >> as someone who has refueled if the air, i second that requirement. pass the dram mean. >>> do you think the air force needs a stealth aerial tanker to support stealth fighters? >> that's not part of our current plan. >> okay. in the wake of the loss of a reconnaissance aircraft due to apparent friendly fire by

you know, it was actually something the chief said, general goldfein talked about yesterday, he talked about this event, the afa event being the premier professional development opportunity for us at airmen, for us as service members, united states air force. i think it's important to sit there and take the opportunity to reflect on that. we probably don't do these kinds of things often enough. clearly there's opportunity when you have opportunity to see a service secretary, secretary of defense, chief master in the air force, our chief speak to us, that's important. but these dialogues on the side are nearly as important. one of the meaningful conversations i had yesterday was at an event after the day talking to staff sergeant amo from air force special operations command. what just an amazing squared away noncommissioned officer. so i just want to start off with a thank you. secondly, happy birthday. >> there you go. >> 71 years and a day. i'm going to offer it up. you all are great. it is important. it's important to sit there and reflect on our history. as i'm listing to the comba

general goldfein, i appreciate your leadership and support. i didn't see chief wright here, but i want to thank him for his service and as secretary wilson said, he's a role model for us. it's an honor to be a part of this team. prior to joining the department of defense, i spent 30 years, as mentioned, building airplanes, helicopters, missiles. i loved my job. i've been in the department for roughly 400 days, and i use days as a reference because time passes quickly. each day matters. i've gotten a glimpse of the missions and taste of your commitment to your values, integrity first. service before self. excellence in all that you do. exposure your devotion to the nation. i see those values reflected in the excellence displayed by the 12 outstanding airmen of the year. and in the service exfied by the medal of honor recipient master sergeant john chapman. i'm often asked about the transition to the department with the undertone "is it what you expected?" i tell people it's like breaking up with your long time girlfriend and finding the love of