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
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs the ASD(HA) is an Executive Service Level IV official. He or she is nominated by the President of the United States, and confirmed by the United States Senate. This position was originally established in 1949 as the "Chairman, Armed Forces Medical Policy Council." Reorganization Plan No. 6 (1953) abolished the council and transferred its functions to a new position, the "Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs)". In August 1953, some functions of this position were transferred to the "Assistant Secretary of Defense (Manpower)", and the title was changed to "Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health and Medical)". The position was abolished