Based in Washington, Jen manages Aviation Week’s worldwide defense, space and security coverage.
Prior to taking on her current role, Jen was Aviation Week's Congressional Editor. Jen came to Aviation Week in March 2011 from Politico, where she covered the intersection of defense and politics. She also worked as a reporter and editor for Defense Daily, Inside the Army, The Other Paper and The Columbus Dispatch.
Jen received a Master’s degree in journalism as a Kiplinger Fellow at the Ohio State University. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in history and journalism from the University of Michigan.
Citing an increased threat in North Korea and Iran, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel says the United States now plans to purchase 14 additional Ground-based Interceptors and eliminate a developmental missile defense system that the U.S. had planned to deploy in Europe. The Pentagon also will deploy a second TPY-2 radar in Japan and begin conducting environmental impact studies for a third Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system site in the continental U.S. to counter the threat.
A Colorado congressman has asked the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to explain why it might furlough civilian employees. Rep. Douglas Lamborn (R), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, says he has received a “disturbing report” that the furloughs could be avoided even as the Pentagon seeks to comply with the $85 billion across-the-board reduction in government spending that started March 1.
Even without a fiscal 2014 budget, combatant commanders are beginning to make their current and future needs known on Capitol Hill. The four-star general in charge of the nation’s nuclear and strategic weapons indicates that even in an era of constrained budgets, he has a list of items that he will protect. The top two: national command and control and replacement of Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines. And not too far below that, he advocates for the Air Force’s refueling tanker program.
