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Petraeus Sorry for Razzing Air Force
Central Command head apologizes after 'outrageous' joke
By Matt Cantor
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Posted Aug 28, 09 1:53 PM CDT
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(Newser)
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The head of US Central Command has apologized to the Air Force after making a joke at the service's expense, the Air Force Times reports. A rep for the Air Force chief of staff said the apology was accepted. David Petraeus, an Army general who commands US operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, cracked the joke as a lead-in to a speech to Marines.
The joke told of a soldier, an Army Ranger, and a Marine carrying heavy packs through harsh conditions, each reflecting on his tough situation. Meanwhile, an Air Force pilot flies overhead. “'Boy,’ he radios his wingman, ‘It must be tough down there.’” The Air Force Association called the joke “beyond outrageous,” Time notes, saying it “belittled the contributions of the Air Force to the joint force.”