Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Edward C. "Pete" Aldridge Jr. (center) announces the decision to proceed with the Joint Strike Fighter program at the Pentagon on Oct. 26, 2001, moving the program to the System Development and Demonstration phase. Reflecting the multi-service, multi-national interest in the plane, Aldridge was joined for the announcement by Secretary of the Navy Gordon England (far left), Secretary of the Air Force James G. Roche (2nd from left), United Kingdom's Minister of Defence for Procurement Lord Willy Bach, National Armaments Director and Chief of Defence Procurement Sir Robert Walmsley, and Vice Adm. Sir Jeremy Blackham, deputy chief of the Defence Staff (Equipment Capabilities).