Journey by General Schwartz; Ron Levinson; Suzie Schwartz; Leon Panetta

Author:General Schwartz; Ron Levinson; Suzie Schwartz; Leon Panetta
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Skyhorse Publishing
Published: 2018-03-02T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

THEY MUST HAVE THE WRONG SCHWARTZ

SEPTEMBER 2000–AUGUST 2008

Eight months later the temperature was in the nineties when the phone rang. I picked up and heard, “Hold for the Chief of Staff of the Air Force,” followed by the voice of General Mike Ryan. “Norty, pack your bags. Charlie Holland’s getting SOCOM and you’ll be moving to Alaska for the Stevens’ account.” The “Stevens’ account” referred to a “three-hatted” command based in Anchorage, Alaska. I was being reassigned to take over the Alaskan Command, the regional NORAD command, and the 11th Air Force.

I thanked him, disconnected, and called downstairs to Suzie. “The Chief called and he said we’re going to Alaska.”

Suzie yelled back up, “They must have the wrong Schwartz!”

Sure wish we’d have kept that snow shovel, I thought.

I glanced outside as a gust of wind caught the palm trees lining our street. They all swayed in unison, as if to mock the irony of the call.

Later that week Suzie bumped into Pete Schoomaker loading up his truck in the back alleyway behind our houses, and she had tears in her eyes. “I don’t want to go to Alaska, there’s no special operations there. I love everything about this life here.”

Schoomaker said to her, “Suzie, the reality is you are never coming back. The Air Force has bigger plans for Norty but they will no longer involve special operations.” She felt like a piece of her heart had just been removed. I tend to be more staid, but Suzie took it very personally—not just for herself, but for me, because she knew my entire professional life had in one way or another been connected to special operations. These were our people, our family. I felt disappointed, too, but by this time I had long since learned to get beyond it. I recognize it, accept it, and quickly move on. Her emotions won’t allow her to do that. It’s another reason why we’re so good for one another. Looking back, I now realize that this wasn’t just Pete’s spin on how my career would play out. He’d been privy to inside conversations and meetings where these things are discussed—and determined, for that matter. This was not merely speculation on his part—it was inside information. But of course we didn’t know that at the time.

* * *

I had been assured that Alaska was a prestige assignment and everyone who had gone before me went on to get their fourth star. Somewhat to our surprise, it turned out to be one of our favorite assignments, but simultaneously overseeing three commands was no small task. Between Alaskan Command, Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region, and 11th Air Force at Elmendorf, I had my hands full.

* * *

9/11/2001: While the world is well aware of the two planes that crashed into the World Trade Center and the third into the Pentagon, most have never heard of Korean Air Flight 85, a 747 with over two hundred passengers onboard en route to Anchorage. I had

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