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Ash Carter, the former Defense secretary who oversaw sweeping personnel changes at the Pentagon, including opening all military occupations and positions to women, has died at the age of 68.
We’ll share the details of that, plus House progressives go on damage control after their Ukraine diplomacy letter and the latest in the Brittney Griner case.
This is Defense & National Security, your nightly guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond. For The Hill, I’m Ellen Mitchell. A friend forward this newsletter to you? Subscribe here.Former Defense Secretary Ash Carter dies at 68
Ash Carter, who ran the Defense Department from early 2015 to 2017 during former President Obama’s second term, died Monday evening in Boston after a sudden heart attack, according to the family’s statement.
A lasting legacy: While at the Pentagon, the 25th Defense secretary oversaw a range of national security issues, including the launch of the military strategy that would ultimately push back and defeat the Islamic State militant group in Syria and Iraq.
He also tackled numerous personnel matters, including ending a ban on transgender officers in the military and opening all military positions, including in infantry, armor, reconnaissance and some special operations units, to women in 2016 — the first time in U.S. history that women could enter certain combat roles previously only open to men.
A Harvard University profile of Carter said he also “led the creation of the military campaign and international coalition to destroy ISIS, designed and executed the strategic pivot to the Asia-Pacific, established a new playbook for the U.S. and NATO to confront Russia’s aggression, and launched a national cyber strategy.”
In addition, Carter was known for his attempt to bring the Pentagon and Silicon Valley together to more quickly bring new technology to the military.
Carter “devoted his professional life to the national security of the United States and teaching students about international affairs,” according to his family. “He was a beloved husband, father, mentor, and friend. His sudden loss will be felt by all who knew him.”
A history of service: Carter served presidents in both parties over five administrations. He entered the government service sphere in 1991, when he served as a member of the Defense Science Board, before becoming assistant secretary of Defense for international security policy in 1993 during former President Clinton’s first term.
He later served as the Pentagon’s top acquisition official from 2009 to 2011, then as deputy Defense secretary from 2011 to 2013, eventually reaching the Pentagon’s top civilian role in February 2015 after he was nominated to replace then-Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and was confirmed 93-5 by the Senate.
BIDEN ON CARTER: A ‘GREAT AMERICAN OF THE UTMOST INTEGRITY’
President Biden on Tuesday mourned the death of Carter, praising his public service and commitment to the men and women of the military.
“When I think of Ash Carter, I think of a man of extraordinary integrity.
