By Lt. General (Retired) David Deptula

Leadership is more than a title — it is a calling. Few have answered that call with the depth of dedication, intellect, and vision that Michael Wynne demonstrated as the 21st Secretary of the United States Air Force.

Wynne led with an unwavering commitment to innovation, modernization, and the men and women in uniform who keep our nation safe. His tenure was marked by transformative efforts to ensure the Air Force remained at the forefront of global security, from advocating for advanced air, space and cyber capabilities to emphasizing the integration of cutting-edge technologies into military operations.

Over the years in one capacity or another I have worked for or with every secretary of the Air Force since being a member of Secretary Don Rice’s policy group in 1989. Mike Wynne was a standout.

During his final days in office, faced with all the challenges and concerns of being relieved, and in the face of potential negative personal consequences I remember being called by Secretary Wynne’s and he asking me if I would be willing to engage on a particular topical issue of importance and follow through with it.

His focus at that time was not himself—it was on what was in the best interest of the nation’s defense. This is just one example of many others that Robbin Laird reveals in this book that does a great service to history by yielding insights into the impact of Air Force Secretary Mike Wynne.

I had the good fortune to first get to know Secretary Wynne while serving as the first three-star general leading the Air Force’s enterprise consolidating intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). In that role I worked hard to get the Department of Defense to expand their understanding that fifth generation aircraft like the F-22 and F-35 were more than simply weapon platforms—they are advanced sensors that could employ lethal or non-lethal effects in a timely and optimal fashion because of their sensor capabilities. Secretary Wynne championed this perspective.

He encouraged innovation, he fought for what was needed to achieve effective deterrence for America and fight to win if necessary. He foresaw what Secretary of Defense Bob Gates did not— a future where China became a peer adversary.

Accordingly, Secretary Wynne advocated for advanced bombers, fifth generation fighters, and laid the groundwork for dedicated cyber operations as powerful tools in the Air Force’s arsenal of capabilities to achieve desired effects. He applied airpower solutions to the exigencies of the time — the counterinsurgencies in Iraq and Afghanistan — embracing increased application of remotely piloted aircraft.

Chief of Staff T. Michael “Buzz” Moseley was a “hand-in-glove” partner with Secretary Wynne as they saw eye-to-eye on the crucial issues facing the nation and the Air Force. Indeed, this may be why they were both sacked by Gates simultaneously.

In doing this Secretary Gates’ action negatively changed the character of the Air Force — and to a degree —the entire United States military.

Specifically, the message sent to every member of the armed forces by firing Secretary Wynne and Chief Moseley was, “you better not speak truth to power, because if you do—and ‘power’ does not like it—your service (and career) will be terminated.”

This outcome has shaped a generation of uniformed leadership whose over-arching motivation became, “going along to get along,” avoiding confrontation, and embracing a distorted and improper belief of jointness that is based on consensus, congeniality, and a notion of using every force, every place, all the time, instead of using the right force at the right place at the right time.

I was fortunate to be at his retirement ceremony at the base of the Air Force Memorial on Jun 20, 2008, when with class, style, and great distinction, Mike Wynne spoke truth to the power who removed him, Defense Secretary Bob Gates.

But Wynne’s contributions to national defense and aerospace leadership stretch far beyond his years as Secretary. A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, he brought a distinguished blend of military service, business acumen, and strategic foresight to every role he undertook. Whether as an officer in the U.S. Army, a defense industry executive, or a senior leader in the Department of Defense, his vision was always centered on strengthening American air and space power.

Robbin Laird’s biography of Secretary Wynne offers an in-depth look at the man behind the mission. It explores the challenges he faced, and the impact he made — not just on policy and technology, but on the lives of those he served alongside. Through his story, readers will gain insight into the complexities of modern defense leadership and the enduring importance of innovation and perseverance in the ever-evolving landscape of national security.

Mike Wynne’s legacy is one of service, determination, and transformation. His journey is one that inspires, educates, and reminds us that true leadership is about preparing for the future while building on the past.

Lt General David A. Deptula is a retired Air Force 3-star general. He is Dean of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies and a Senior Scholar at the U.S. Air Force Academy. One of the world’s foremost airpower experts, he is featured in the book, Airpower Pioneers: From Billy Mitchell to Dave Deptula. A fighter pilot with more than 3,000 flying hours–400 in combat–he served over 34 years in assignments including principal attack planner for the Desert Storm air campaign, commander of air operations over Iraq, Afghanistan, for the South Asia tsunami relief effort, and for Pacific Command. He has twice been a Combined/Joint Task Force Commander, served on two congressional commissions determining America’s future defense, and was the first Air Force chief of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.

By CAPT (Ret) Christoper C. Misner, Senior Manager, Bell Strategic Pursuits

The U.S. National Defense Strategy prioritizes the Indo-Pacific as a critical theater for national security. Yet, the current U.S. Navy fleet would likely struggle to meet the logistical demands of the Joint Force across the vast maritime distances involved in prolonged combat operations within this area.

One reason is that the U.S. Department of Defense’s approved and funded procurement programs do not meet the demand for airborne logistics in maritime combat. This creates a significant gap in the Navy’s ability to support Distributed Maritime Operations (DMO) and Expeditionary Advanced Based Operations (EABO).

The Navy must ensure it has the logistics capability to support the growing number of deployed naval and air forces operating from sea and shore-based hubs. This will not only ensure the Navy meets immediate and long-term needs but also strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base.

The U.S. Navy has historically projected power through carrier strike groups, concentrating firepower on a few assets, typically including an aircraft carrier, destroyers, frigates, and submarines. While powerful, this offensive operation model enables adversaries to anticipate U.S. naval movements, limits sailors’ ability to respond to threats across long distances, and exposes fleets to anti-access/anti-denial (A2/D2) threats.

As a result, the U.S. Navy is shifting from large, centralized carrier strike groups to distributed maritime operations, which disperse naval units over a larger area to complicate enemy targeting. This shift requires not only advanced combat capabilities but also flexible logistics support.

The CMV-22B Osprey – a tiltrotor aircraft – is at the heart of this transformation in the Navy’s approach. The CMV-22B offers superior range, avionics, and communications compared to the C-2A, its predecessor.

Although it was initially conceived as a carrier-onboard-delivery (COD) replacement, the Osprey is not confined to large-deck carrier logistics. The CMV-22B can conduct long-range navigation and deliver logistical support across entire fleets, an advantage in distributed maritime environments where logistics needs span vast areas and diverse units.

Carrier strike group operations today can cover over 700 miles in 24 hours. The CMV-22B ensures logistics support matches this pace, crucial for distributed maritime operations in contested environments. The aircraft can rapidly transport personnel, munitions, medical supplies, and components to Expeditionary Advanced Bases, Forward Logistic Support Sites, and ships at sea.

The CMV-22B also allows the U.S. military to lead joint combat operations, integrating capabilities across service branches. It assists the convergence of the U.S. Navy’s distributed operations with the Air Force’s agile combat employment and the Marine Corps’ Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO). The aircraft’s speed, range, and versatility ensure the Navy operates effectively as part of a modular force comprising air and ground elements.

The Osprey – used by the Navy, Air Force Special Operations Command, and Marine Corps – has evolved over time to meet the needs of our warfighters. Looking ahead, the CMV-22B presents opportunities beyond its primary logistics role. The Navy could leverage its versatility to support the Carrier Strike Group with aerial refueling capability. Its enhanced secure, long-range communication could better support Naval Special Warfare (NSW) forces in combat search and rescue (CSAR) and other NSW missions. These and other improvements would expand its strategic value to the U.S. Navy fleet and Joint Force.

Furthermore, procuring the CMV-22B and investing in its readiness and modernization are not only necessary to meet operational needs, but also to sustain and strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base. Team Osprey, a consortium of over 500 manufacturers and suppliers spanning nearly every U.S. state, supports jobs producing thousands of essential parts for the Osprey. This industrial base is vital to maintain American military and economic strength.

U.S. naval capabilities may not reach their full potential without a fast, long-range tiltrotor aircraft like the CMV-22B. Indeed, its ability to support both Fleet and Joint Force operations while enhancing combat capabilities makes it a key asset against emerging threats in contested environments.

The CMV-22’s speed and range are critical as the Navy adapts to distributed maritime operations and develops tactics, techniques, and procedures to meet future threats.

Featured photo: ATLANTIC OCEAN (Sept. 19, 2024) Ð A CMV-22B Osprey, assigned to the “Mighty Bison” of Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) 40, lands on the flight deck of the world’s largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), Sept. 19, 2024. These carrier landing qualifications are a first for the CMV-22B Osprey on a Ford-class aircraft carrier. USS Gerald R. Ford is underway in the Atlantic Ocean to further develop core unit capabilities during its basic phase of the optimized fleet response plan. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Maxwell Orlosky).

This article was first published by Seapower Magazine and is republished with the author’s permission.

And for the first of two books, we are publishing this year on the tiltrotor enterprise, see the following:

Later this year, we are publishing a companion volume to the one available now.