Secretary of Defense Robert Gates is not happy with the slow pace of using unmanned Predator drone aircraft. They’ve had great success in Afghanistan, dating back to early 2008. Gates told the Air Force Academy Friday that “it’s been like pulling teeth” to get more of the planes “because people were stuck in old ways of doing business.” Gates also clashed with Air Force leadership over production of the top-of-the-line, F-22 Raptor. He said pressure to build more than twice the number budgeted by the Defense Department is a problem.

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