The Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday approved the nomination of William LaPlante to be the Air Force’s top civilian acquisition boss. His nomination now goes to the full Senate for consideration. If approved, LaPlante will become the Air Force’s first full-time acquisition leader since Sue Payton left the position in 2009. LaPlante was nominated for the position in October 2013 and has served as USAF’s principal deputy assistant secretary for acquisition since May 2013.
President Joe Biden approved a Defense Department request to return "under 500" American troops to Somalia, where the al-Shabab terrorist group has grown in wealth and influence and increased the tempo of its attacks since U.S. troops withdrew in January 2021. A senior administration official told members of the press…