Vice Admiral John Redd, the head of the U.S. agency responsible for developing counter-terrorism strategies and analyzing intelligence on terrorism, announced his resignation Wednesday. Redd, the first director of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCC), said in a letter to staff he was leaving office on November 10 for “long-delayed surgery which I can no longer neglect.” Redd needs replacement surgery on both knees, which would require a prolonged absence if he were to remain as director, NCC spokesman Carl Kropf said. The NCC was created in 2004 as part of an overhaul of U.S. intelligence and security agencies after the September 11, 2001 attacks. It serves as a clearing-house for intelligence on terrorism, produces daily intelligence reports, and develops strategy for counter-terrorism operations. Michael Leiter, the agency's deputy director, will serve as acting director until a replacement is named, Kropf said.
