AIA News 2013
AIA Congratulates Hagel on Confirmation
February 27, 2013
Arlington, Va. — The Aerospace Industries Association offers its congratulations to Secretary of Defense Charles “Chuck” Hagel on being confirmed by the United States Senate to succeed Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.
“Secretary Hagel is an American patriot who proved his valor serving in the United States Army infantry during the Vietnam War,” said AIA President and CEO Marion C. Blakey. “We are confident he understands one of the lessons of that conflict: that we must always give our brave men and women in uniform the training and equipment they need to prevail.”
Blakey added that the aerospace and defense industry looks forward to meeting with and working with the new secretary. “We are eager to assist Secretary Hagel in his efforts to ensure that we are able to carry out the President’s national security strategy, invest in the new systems our military will need to defend our country over the long haul, and keep our industrial base strong and competitive internationally,” Blakey said.
Blakey also offered praise for outgoing Secretary Panetta. “We greatly appreciate Secretary Panetta’s service to the nation. From his leadership as CIA Director in the operation to bring justice to Osama bin Laden, to his stalwart advocacy as Defense Secretary for a defense budget commiserate with our national security requirements, Secretary Panetta has performed his duties with tremendous skill and dedication.”
