Gordon England has been serving as the Acting Deputy Defense Secretary since May 2005, but he also retained his leadership of the Navy. On Dec. 29, England formally resigned as Secretary of the Navy. The new Navy Boss, Donald Winter—confirmed by the Senate on Nov. 10—takes up the mantle today. For the five day interim, the Navy’s Deputy Secretary, Dionel M. Aviles, served as Acting Secretary.
The Air Force ramped up operations and maintenance spending to keep its F-35A fighters flying over the past six years, but readiness continues to lag behind goals, according to a new report from the Government Accountability Office.