Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne says that Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld’s “acumen led the Air Force to become lean, lethal, and agile, expanding [the service’s] mission areas for a stronger joint team.” Wynne’s comment follows Wednesday’s announcement that Rumsfeld would resign the top DOD post. Wynne went on to say that Rumsfeld “has strengthened the entire Department of Defense and our nation,” and added that he looks forward to working with the new SECDEF designee, Robert Gates, who “will undoubtedly bring ideas fused with years of experience from various national security roles.”
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
