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
United States Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense currently exist five PDUSDs. Each PDUSD is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The five PDUSDs are: Each of the PDUSDs serves as the "first assistant" to the corresponding Under Secretary of Defense, and would serve as the acting Under Secretary in the Under Secretary's absence. The PDUSD is not "directly responsible for a specified portfolio within the Office of the Under Secretary," but instead is responsible for assisting the Under Secretary with the entire portfolio. Reporting to the PDUSDs are Assistant Secretaries of Defense, who are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, and