Iran Press/ America: Kendall was confirmed by voice vote almost three months after President Joe Biden tapped him for the role. The same day as the vote, Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) lifted his hold on Kendall after the Air Force committed to retain and modernize A-10s at Selfridge Air National Guard base in his state, The Detroit News reported.
Kendall who was the former No. 3 official in the Pentagon in the Obama administration, will take the reins of the Department of the Air Force from acting Secretary John P. Roth, who has held the role in a temporary capacity for 187 days. Previous Air Force Secretary Barbara M. Barrett stepped down at the end of the Trump administration.
As the undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology, and logistics from 2012 to 2016, Kendall oversaw the Defense Department’s weapons purchases, development, sustainment, and logistics. When he left the job, Congress split the role into two separate jobs for acquisition and sustainment. He also was the deputy undersecretary and acting undersecretary.
Kendall served as an advisor to Biden during his presidential campaign on national security and defense issues. Kendall also was vice president of engineering for the then-Raytheon Co. and was a managing partner at Renaissance Strategic Advisors.
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