Robert Gates becomes the new Secretary of Defense, replacing Donald H. Rumsfeld, who had served since January 2001. (It was Rumsfeld’s second tour in the post; he first served under President Gerald Ford from November 1975 to January 1977.)
The Air Force on Jan. 6 released nearly a dozen photos of F-22 and F-35 fighters returning to Puerto Rico after supporting the raid to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro—the first official images of forces who participated in Operation Absolute Resolve.

