Pentagon Revokes Frank Kendall’s Classified Access After Air Force One Disclosure
The Department of War revoked former Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall’s eligibility to access classified information on Friday. The department also removed his ability to hold any position requiring sensitive access.
The action follows what officials described as an unauthorized disclosure involving Air Force One’s capabilities. The information was reportedly provided to The New York Times and concerned President Trump’s Qatari-gifted aircraft.
Sean Parnell, a Pentagon spokesman, said the decision took effect immediately. His full statement read:
Effective immediately, the Department of War has REVOKED former Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall’s eligibility for access to classified information and his ability to hold any sensitive position.
This action follows his unauthorized disclosure of classified information regarding Air Force One’s capabilities to a media outlet.
Safeguarding classified information is a non-negotiable duty. Those who violate that trust forfeit the privilege of access and any role requiring it.
The disclosure came after questions surrounding a newer Air Force One aircraft. As previously reported by The Gateway Pundit, Trump announced that the aircraft he flew to Ankara, Turkey, for the NATO summit would later visit a U.S. base in the United Kingdom. He departed Turkey on a different Air Force One plane, leading to speculation about possible security concerns.
Federal agents later served subpoenas on four New York Times reporters after the newspaper published sensitive details about alleged security shortcomings involving the aircraft. Sources described as having knowledge of national security matters told the reporters that the newer plane lacked some of the advanced defensive systems installed on other presidential aircraft.
Kendall served as the 26th Secretary of the Air Force. According to his Air Force biography, he was responsible for organizing, training, and equipping the nation’s Air and Space Forces. He oversaw an annual department budget exceeding $173 billion and provided forces to combatant commanders for global military operations.
His responsibilities also included the welfare of nearly 700,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve, and civilian Airmen and Guardians, along with their families.
Kendall brought more than five decades of experience in engineering, management, defense acquisition, and national security. He worked with defense companies, research organizations, and the Department of Defense. He also practiced law and worked on human-rights matters, primarily on a pro bono basis.
Earlier in his career, Kendall served as Raytheon’s vice president of engineering and later became a managing partner at Renaissance Strategic Advisors, a Virginia-based aerospace and defense consulting firm.
His government service included positions as under secretary of defense for acquisition, technology, and logistics, as well as deputy director of defense research and engineering for tactical warfare programs. Kendall is a West Point graduate and served 11 years as an active-duty Army officer, including assignments in Germany, at West Point, and in research and development.