U.S., Canadian defense leaders call F-35 crucial
U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta (right) and Canadian Defense Minister Peter MacKay hold a press conference to open the Halifax International Security Forum in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Nov. 18, 2011. Panetta and MacKay fielded questions regarding possible U.S. budget cuts to the F-35 strike fighter and its impending impact on Canada. (Department of Defense photo/Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo)