Another reason Gen. Bruce Carlson isn’t a long shot to head US Pacific Command (see above) is that his immediate predecessor, Gen. Gregory Martin, originally was picked for the PACOM job. He withdrew when Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) threatened to turn Martin’s confirmation process into a circus over USAF’s tanker lease program and the Darleen Druyun affair. Martin did nothing wrong, but wanted to spare the service a public rehash of the tanker soap opera. The Pentagon then tapped Adm. William Fallon to replace Martin as the PACOM nominee.
Marine Tapped to Lead F-35 Joint Program Office
June 21, 2025
President Trump has nominated Marine Lt. Gen. Gregory Masiello to head the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program. Masiello is currently the head of the Defense Contract Management Agency and has previously headed the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor program.