General Norton Schwartz is a retired United States Air Force officer who served as the 19th Chief of Staff of the Air Force from 2008 to 2012. He was born on March 14, 1946, and graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1973. Throughout his career, he held various leadership positions, including commanding the Air Mobility Command. During his tenure as Chief of Staff, General Schwartz focused on modernizing the Air Force and improving its capabilities. He emphasized the importance of airpower in joint operations and worked to enhance the integration of the U.S. military with other branches, including the Army and Navy.