Thornberry and Smith appoint new aviation safety commissioners

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-TX) and Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-WA) made appointments today to a new National Commission on Military Aviation Safety.

The commission, established by the Fiscal Year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act, is intended to investigate the causes of recent high-profile aviation mishaps.

Thornberry has appointed former Texas congressman Pete Geren, who previously served as a Pentagon official from 2001 to 2009, including as special assistant to the defense secretary, acting Air Force secretary, acting Army secretary and acting Army under secretary, according to a statement from the committee. Geren is currently the president of the Sid W. Richardson Foundation.

Smith, slated to succeed Thornberry as committee chairman when Democrats formally reclaim control of the House next year, has named retired Air Force Gen. Raymond Johns, who previously served as chief of Air Mobility Command. John is currently Co-CEO of FlightSafety International.

Under the NDAA, Thornberry and Smith are allowed to appoint one commissioner each, while President Trump may appoint four.