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It was the hardest decision he had to make, Defense Secretary Robert Gates told the Army War College as he explained why his 2010 budget proposal calls for the Future Combat Systems vehicle program to be canceled. The decision put him at odds with the wishes of Army Secretary Pete Geren and Army Chief of Staff Gen. George Casey (though Gates was supported by the chairman and vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.)

“It was a tough call. But I must tell you that with each passing day, I’m convinced, it was the right one,” Gates added.

Tom Donnelly and Bob Killebrew examine that decision.