MILITARY

Ash Carter begins first day in office at Pentagon; wife slips on icy pavement, laughs it off

Associated Press
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Incoming Defense Secretary Ash Carter, and his wife Stephanie Carter, during their arrival at the Pentagon in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015. Carter, who previously served as the No. 2 Pentagon official, replaced Chuck Hagel as the new Pentagon chief. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) (The Associated Press)

Incoming Defense Secretary Ash Carter, center, checks on his wife Stephanie Carter, after she slipped and fell during their arrival at the Pentagon in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015. Carter, who previously served as the No. 2 Pentagon official, replaced Chuck Hagel as the new Pentagon chief. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) (The Associated Press)

Incoming Defense Secretary Ash Carter, and his wife Stephanie Carter, during their arrival at the Pentagon in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015. Carter, who previously served as the No. 2 Pentagon official, replaced Chuck Hagel as the new Pentagon chief. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) (The Associated Press)

Ash Carter, President Barack Obama's new defense secretary, made his Pentagon debut on Tuesday.

Carter emerged from a black sport utility vehicle at a snowy, icy Potomac River entrance to the Pentagon. He made no comments to a gathering of reporters, photographers and cameramen. His wife, Stephanie, slipped and fell on the icy pavement. She laughed it off and officials indicated she was not injured.

Carter went ahead with most of his planned first-day schedule even though the federal government was closed due to inclement weather.

Carter, 60, is Obama's fourth secretary of defense. A formal swearing-in ceremony was scheduled at the White House later in the day. Carter replaces Chuck Hagel, who resigned under pressure.