J. Daniel Howard Carlucci and his deputy, General Colin Powell. Howard focussed on arms control issues and remained through the signing of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty in January 1988. He also dealt with many issues associated with the Iran–Contra affair. On December 21, 1987, President Reagan nominated Howard to serve as Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) and Howard would hold this post from February 1988 through May 1989. He worked for Secretary of Defense Frank Carlucci and dealt with the aftermath of the shooting down of Iran Air Flight 655 by the U.S.S. "Vincennes" and the explosion of a gun mount
Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Policy is the principal staff element of the Secretary of Defense in the exercise of policy development, planning, resource management, fiscal, and program evaluation responsibilities, the rank of "Under Secretary", the USD(P) is a Level III position within the Executive Schedule. Officials reporting to the USD(P) include: The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans, and Capabilities (ASD(SPC)) is responsible for national security and defense strategy, leading the Quadrennial Defense Review, nuclear deterrence and missile defense policy, security cooperation plans and policies, and force design and development planning. The Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (ASD(ISA)) is responsible