Dalton picked to be Air Force under secretary

President Biden intends to nominate Melissa Dalton to be Air Force under secretary, according to a White House announcement today.

Dalton currently serves as the assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense and hemispheric affairs.

Dalton, like more than 300 defense nominees, is scheduled to run into Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s (R-AL) ongoing nomination blockade. Tuberville has vowed to keep his blanket hold in place unless the Defense Department changes its travel and leave policies for servicemembers seeking abortions. The Senate, however, has begun moving some senior DOD nominees on an individual basis.

Previously, Dalton served as principal deputy assistant defense secretary for strategy, plans and capabilities from January 2021 to March 2022.

Prior to joining the Biden administration, Dalton was an analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.