Ash Carter became deputy defense secretary during a private swearing-in ceremony at the Pentagon Thursday. He replaced Bill Lynn, who stepped down after serving in that role since February 2009. Carter has been the Pentagon’s acquisition executive since April 2009 and has played a leading role in the Pentagon’s drive to shed overhead and operate more efficiently. The Senate last month unanimously approved Carter for the deputy post. (AFPS report by Karen Parrish)
An F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the Texas Air National Guard’s 149th Fighter Wing crashed during a training mission in Michigan on Sept. 17. The fighter's sole pilot ejected and is in stable condition at a local hospital.
