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)
Defense experts say the drone threat represents only part of a larger, looming problem: U.S. air bases in the Pacific are increasingly vulnerable to air attacks.