Incoming Air Force secretary was a thrilling airshow demonstration pilot

The Pentagon announced Wednesday that retiring Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson will be replaced June 1 by an acting secretary, Matthew Donovan. Before Donovan, the service’s under secretary, was navigating Washington bureaucracy, he thrilled audiences around the country as an Air Force demonstration pilot.

In his more than 30 years in the Air Force, Donovan, 60, racked up more than 2,900 hours flying the F-15C Eagle and F-5E Tiger II fighter aircraft. His skill led to a stint as an Air Combat Command demonstration pilot, a highly coveted position only given to the best fighter pilots.