The new Air Force chief is sick and tired of Russia's aerial antics

All is not pretty darn good to Air Force Gen. David Goldfein.The new Air Force Chief of Staff is a month into his command and isalready known for straight talk to his airmen and the reporters who cover him.This time, the decorated combat pilot had some strong words for Russias air force after several instances of dangerous fly-bys and aerial close encounters.I will tell you I am concerned, very concerned about recent Russian behavior in a couple of occasions, he told reporters at a Pentagonpress briefing on Aug. 10. Low passes over our ships, aggressive acts over our aircraft. You know, my message to my counterpart is Ive seen the Russian Air Force in action, its a professional force, and theyre far better than that.General Goldfeinis an experienced pilot who flew combat sorties during Desert Storm, in the Balkans, and over Iraq and Afghanistan.In 1999, he was shot down in an F-16C Fighting Falcon on a strike against Serbian forcesnear Belgrade, wherehe evaded capture until he wasrescued by an HH-60G Pave Hawk aircrew.During the Aug. 10presser, a reporter asked Goldfein if he was surprised at the Russian air forces performanceduring its yearlong deployment to Syria.For 50 years, weve been intercepting each other in international airspace.Why in the world would we allow ourselves to do that' Gen. Goldfein wondered. Its because weve had standard rules of behavior that weve adhered to over time, and so its not surprising at all that Russia has a capable air force.Thats when he wingedover into his rhetorical bombing run on Russias recent fly-bys, calling into question the services professionalism and urging them to back off.This was the first press conference Goldfeins held as the 21st Air Force Chief of Staff. The former F-117 Nighthawkpilotalso discussed his plans for meeting the challenges to American air supremacy.With a nearly 700 fighter pilot shortage and money woes that leave some squadrons without the funds to train, Goldfein says hes trying to plug the gaps and bolster the force.Air superiority is not an American birthright. Its actually something you have to fight for and maintain, Goldfein said. It is a crisis. I do believe that quality of service will be equally important to everything we can do in quality of life.SEE ALSO:Vladimir Putin has unexpectedly fired a powerful allyJoin the conversation about this storyNOW WATCH: Here's the high-tech military equipment Russia could use against the world
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