WASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. President-elect Joe Biden plans to tap Kathleen Hicks as deputy secretary of defense and Colin Kahl as the undersecretary of defense for policy, bringing in two experienced hands to guide the Pentagon under the defense secretary nominee, Lloyd Austin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Biden campaign announced<\/a> the moves Wednesday, shortly after The Washington Post<\/a> broke the news, as well as the unofficial pick of Kelly Magsamen to serve as Austin\u2019s chief of staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThese respected, accomplished civilian leaders will help lead the Department of Defense with integrity and resolve, safeguard the lives and interests of the American people, and ensure that we fulfill our most sacred obligation: to equip and protect those who serve our country, and to care for them and their families both during and after their service,\u201d Biden said in a statement. \u201cDr. Kath Hicks and Dr. Colin Kahl have the broad experience and crisis-tested judgment necessary to help tackle the litany of challenges we face today, and all those we may confront tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t