Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Monday he has recommended that President Obama nominate Marine Corps Gen. James Amos, a career aviator, to be the next Marine Corps commandant. If nominated and confirmed, Amos would be the first Marine aviator to attain this post. Amos, USMC assistant commandant since July 2008, would succeed Gen. James Conway, who is retiring this fall after four decades of service. (DOD release) (See also AFPS report)
The U.S. has approved a $310.5 million Foreign Military Sale to provide Ukraine with maintenance and training for its F-16 fighter jets, the State Department announced May 2. Meanwhile, the U.S. Air Force has been sending retired F-16s to Ukraine to be used for spare parts.