Tag Archives: Mark Esper

Trump Removes Esper; Christopher Miller New Acting SECDEF

Trump Removes Esper; Christopher Miller New Acting SECDEF

Secretary of Defense Mark Esper conducts Virtual Engagement with Industry Partners at the Pentagon on Oct. 21, 2020. DoD Photo

This post has been updated to include statements from lawmakers and a farewell memo from outgoing Defense Secretary Mark Esper.

President Trump announced the firing of Defense Secretary Mark Esper in a tweet on Monday. Read More

Turkey Formally Dropped From F-35 Program; DoD Estimates $500M to Retool Supply Chain

Turkey Formally Dropped From F-35 Program; DoD Estimates $500M to Retool Supply Chain

F-35A Lightning II aircraft receive aerial refuelings from a Travis KC-10 Extender July 13, 2016 on the flight from England to the United States. US Air Force photo.

THE PENTAGON – Turkey is being excised from the F-35 Lighting II Joint Strike Fighter program, and the U.S. will pay an estimated $500 to 600 million to retool the program in the aftermath, the Defense Department’s acquisition chief told reporters on Wednesday. Read More

F-35 Program Leadership Changes as Turkey's Future in Program Uncertain

F-35 Program Leadership Changes as Turkey’s Future in Program Uncertain

A Member of the F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team prepares to launch Capt. Andrew “Dojo” Olson, F-35 pilot, during the Bagotville International Air Show in Quebec, Canada on June 22, 2019. US Air Force Photo

THE PENTAGON – The F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter program’s civilian and military management are in the midst of a changeover just as government officials from the U.S. and partner countries are considering ejecting Turkey from involvement in the aircraft’s manufacture and deployment. Read More

Berger Takes Command of Marine Corps, Neller Reflects on 45 Years of Service

Berger Takes Command of Marine Corps, Neller Reflects on 45 Years of Service

Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps Ronald Green presents the battle color of the Marine Corps to 37th Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Robert Neller, who in turned passed the flag and command of the service over to 38th Commandant Gen. David Berger. The change of command took place July 11, 2019, at Marine Barracks Washington. USNI News photo.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Gen. David Berger today took command of a Marine Corps that has begun a transition to a fighting force preparing for high-end modern warfare. Outgoing Commandant Gen. Robert Neller reflected during the change of command ceremony that the service scarcely resembles what it was when he was commissioned in 1975 and in many ways looks different from the corps he took command of four years ago. Read More