Pentagon Revokes Former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall’s Access to Classified Information

WASHINGTON: The Pentagon has revoked former U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall’s eligibility to access classified information and barred him from holding any sensitive position, alleging that he disclosed sensitive information concerning the capabilities of the new Air Force One to the media.

Kendall, who served as Air Force secretary under former President Joe Biden, strongly denied disclosing classified information, telling The Associated Press that he was “completely mystified” by the decision. He said he had always been extremely careful when discussing sensitive matters and was unaware of what information he was alleged to have revealed.

The decision follows media reports concerning security features of the new Air Force One, a Boeing 747 previously owned by Qatar and donated to the United States. The aircraft underwent an estimated $400 million retrofit and upgrade before being placed into service.

Questions surrounding the aircraft intensified after reports indicated that the new plane does not have some of the advanced antimissile and other security capabilities found on the older Air Force One aircraft. President Donald Trump used the newer aircraft for domestic travel and also flew it to Turkey, but later departed a NATO summit aboard an older Air Force One as the United States launched strikes against Iran and Tehran attacked three Gulf Arab states.

The New York Times previously reported that Trump switched aircraft at the urging of the Secret Service because of security concerns. Trump denied that the decision was linked to security issues, while acknowledging that he faces threats and remains a major target of Iran.

Kendall was quoted in the Times report as saying that the timetable for modifying the Qatari aircraft would not have allowed for all the standard modifications normally incorporated into Air Force One. He later maintained that he was confident he had not disclosed classified information.

The controversy has also raised concerns about press freedom. The Justice Department subpoenaed New York Times reporters in an effort to identify their sources for the reporting. The subpoenas were subsequently withdrawn following criticism from a federal judge over the department’s handling of the matter.

The Air Force has defended the conversion of the Qatari aircraft, saying the accelerated modification process was conducted without accepting risks to security, safety or secure communications. However, the service acknowledged that certain complex engineering modifications were intentionally not included.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell did not identify the media organization to which Kendall allegedly disclosed classified information. He said protecting classified information was a fundamental responsibility and that those who violate that trust could lose their access and positions requiring such clearance.

The Pentagon has not indicated whether Kendall will face criminal prosecution. Such allegations can potentially lead to referrals under laws governing the unauthorized disclosure of classified information, although no such referral has been announced in Kendall’s case.