Hagel to visit Eglin, Ft. Rucker

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel will visit Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and Fort Rucker, Ala., during a two-day tour that begins Wednesday. The trip is intended to ensure that the Defense Department stays focused on the long-term concerns affecting U.S. interests worldwide, said Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby. Hagel's first stop is Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay in Southeast Georgia, home to Navy Ohio-class ballistic and guided-missile subs. On Thursday Hagel will be at Eglin, home of the center where F-35 pilots and maintainers are trained. It's also where an F-35 caught fire while on the runway preparing for take off. The plane has been grounded since July 3 pending an investigation. Hagel's final stop is at Fort Rucker in Southeast Alabama, home of Army aviation. (Source: DoD, 07/08/14)