Major General Robert A. Harding (ret.) recently appeared before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation for a confirmation hearing to be administrator of the Transportation Security Administration and assistant secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. He sailed through with high praise.
Sen. John “Jay” Rockefeller (D-WVa), committee chairman, declared a highly qualified, strong administrator is needed to lead the TSA and its workforce. He said Harding’s career in both government and the private sector “makes him a good fit for this mission.” Harding had been director of operations for the Defense Intelligence Agency and director of intelligence for the Army’s U.S. Southern Command, among several other positions.
Rockefeller told Harding he was especially concerned about the security of general aviation and would want to talk with him about it if confirmed. Rockefeller declared he was not talking about “crop dusters and other small aircraft, but jets on up.” He added that general aviation was an issue rarely discussed, but one that need discussing.
Harding is expected to be confirmed by the Senate.