Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden announced two key nominees for the Department of Defense (DOD) on Wednesday, calling them “crisis-tested patriots” who will ensure that DOD “policies are accountable to the American people.” Biden announced his nomination of Dr. Kathleen Hicks as the Deputy Secretary of Defense and Dr. Colin Kahl as Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, both of whom previously served in former President Barack Obama’s administration. Hicks and Kahl will work under Lloyd Austin whom Biden earlier nominated for the Secretary of Defense position. The former vice president said the two nominees will play a key role in keeping Americans safe including, in his administration’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution effort, addressing security threats related to the climate crisis, equipping service members and their families, and preparing for potential conflicts. “Dr. Kath Hicks and Dr. Colin Kahl have the broad experience and crisis-tested judgment necessary to help tackle the …