Retired Air Force Lt. Gen. James Clapper, DOD’s new intelligence chief, has now been given a new role as director of defense intelligence within the Office of National Intelligence. Defense Secretary Robert Gates and new National Intelligence Director Mike McConnell signed a memorandum of agreement establishing the new position. Clapper said, “The objective here is to facilitate staff interaction and promote synchronization.”
Air Force senior statesmen explained the reasons they jointly sent a letter to Congress urging restoration of the E-7 Wedgetail and more F-35s to the fiscal 2026 defense budget.