Defense Secretary Ashton Carter testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee about the U.S. military on Tuesday. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images The Two-Way Pentagon Chief Says U.S. Plans To Increase Tempo Of Air Attacks Against ISIS October 27, 2015 Defense Secretary Ashton Carter told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the U.S. would not hesitate to back its partners using airstrikes or "direct action on the ground."