U.S. defense secretary in Israel as country gets F-35 jets
U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter was visiting Israel Monday as it prepared to receive the first two next-generation F-35 fighter jets that will help preserve the country’s military edge in the volatile Mideast. The F-35 is the Pentagon’s most expensive weapons program, with an estimated cost of nearly $400 billion. Israel is among a small number of allies to get the plane. Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said the fighter jets “present another component in maintaining air superiority in our…