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)
More than two dozen F-35 Lightning II fighters are heading to Kingsley Field, Ore., after Air Force Secretary Troy Meink signed the official record of decision to base the jets there on Oct. 5, clearing the last bureaucratic hurdle for the Air National Guard base to host the service’s third…