Admiral picked to head F-35 program

Defense Secretary Robert Gates picked Vice Adm. David Venlet to run the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program. The three-star officer will need Senate confirmation. Gates said in early February that he would remove Marine Corps Maj. Gen. David Heinz as manager of the JSF and replace him with a three-star officer. The nomination comes as the Pentagon prepares to formally tell Congress that the cost of the F-35 has increased by more than 50 percent. (Source: The Hill, 03/16/10) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is scheduled to become home of the JSF training center.