Breaking Defense opens new full-time Pentagon bureau, in another move of expansion

In a sign of continued expansion, Breaking Defense is pleased to announce our new Pentagon bureau, an additional full-time staff reporter position dedicated exclusively to news emanating from the Pentagon.

Ashely Roque, currently senior staff reporter on the Army beat for Breaking Defense, will assume the new bureau role working inside the Pentagon. In this role, Roque will focus on news coming out of the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Joint Staff, and White House, including acquisition policy and defense strategy. Roque had previously taken lead on these areas within our team while also reporting on the Army, but now will have a role entirely dedicated to coverage from inside the Pentagon.

Coinciding with Roque’s new role, Carley Welch, Networks and Digital Warfare reporter, will be taking over coverage of the Army beat. Welch has had extensive previous experience with coverage of Army networks, and will now step up to cover the larger Army milieu. With Welch moving into her new assignment, an additional announcement will be forthcoming soon regarding the Networks and Digital Warfare beat. 

“I’m thrilled that our growth has allowed us to expand with a full-time Pentagon bureau,” said Breaking Defense Editor in Chief Aaron Mehta. “Ash has been dual-hatted with both Pentagon and Army coverage for the last two years, and has proven she can handle both with aplomb. But I can’t wait to see the kind of coverage she produces now that she can focus just on the Pentagon.

“In turn, I’m very happy for Carley to take up Ash’s mantle covering the Army,” Mehta continued. “She has proven the ability to tackle incredibly complex topics on the networks beat, and has earned the opportunity to take on this broader portfolio.”

“This is the first in a series of exciting developments with our staff at Breaking Defense,” said David Smith, Publisher and Managing Director. “While in some places media and journalism have faced struggles and challenges, here at Breaking Defense we’re thriving and growing. I believe this is due to our culture, values, talent, vision and investment. 

“I’m delighted we could make this happen for both Ash and Carley, as this a significant opportunity for both,” Smith said. “It’s wonderful to be able to offer our journalists growth, to expand our coverage even more, and to set a standard of excellence in defense media.”