WASHINGTON — Christine Wormuth, undersecretary of defense for policy, will leave the Pentagon in June, Secretary of Defense Ash Carter announced Friday.
"Throughout her career, Christine has devoted herself to enhancing America's national security," Carter said in a statement. "At the National Security Council and her many roles at the DoD, Christine has provided President Obama, my predecessors and me invaluable counsel on the nation's most challenging security issues. I thank Christine for her service and sacrifice and wish her all the best."
Wormuth was confirmed to that role in June 2014. She previously served as deputy undersecretary of defense for strategy, plans and force development; before that, she was a special assistant to President Barack Obama and senior director for defense policy and strategy on the national security staff.
As part of her portfolio, Wormuth was a key figure in planning the Pentagon’s campaign against the Islamic State group, commonly known as ISIS or ISIL.
Brian McKeon, Wormuth's principal deputy, will step into the role as acting, with Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs David Shear assuming McKeon's deputy role.
"We have important work ahead, and I want to thank Brian and Dave for their commitment to the department at this critical time," Carter said.
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Aaron Mehta was deputy editor and senior Pentagon correspondent for Defense News, covering policy, strategy and acquisition at the highest levels of the Defense Department and its international partners.
