[stormer]

I guess the question then is do you need to know how to steer a airplane in order to prepare an Air Force for war?

[rollo tomasi]

Well in the past they promoted pilots due to the fact that the Generals (Who were actual pilots) could understand the psyche/concerns using their hands on experience rather than just textbooks, computer simulations and "theories". Also the morale/trust/respect factor of the pilots being commanded, i.e. "what is this non-pilot giving me orders trying to prove/justify/tactical plans". Go up against a tough opponent and the fighting/tactics are relegated "on the fly".

Time will only tell when the US actually goes up against a competent opponent who shrinks the gap of the superior firepower we have. Iraq under sanctions was a turkey shoot and afghan/Taliban were softer.