WASHINGTON -- U.S. Air Force Secretary James Roche announced Tuesday he is resigning the post he has held for four years.

Roche had been nominated to take over as U.S. Army Secretary, but controversy concerning a contract to lease, rather than buy, aircraft from the Boeing Co. caused him to withdraw his own nomination earlier this year.

"Jim Roche has led the Air Force during an important period in history," said U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld in a prepared statement. "Combined with his distinguished career with the United States Navy, Secretary Roche has served our country capably and with honor. I thank him for his service and wish him all the best."

Roche will leave Jan. 20, or as soon as his successor is confirmed by the Senate.

Also Tuesday, the White House withdrew the nomination of Pentagon spokesman Lawrence DiRita to become assistant secretary of defense for public affairs. DiRita is the acting assistant secretary and Rumsfeld's chief of staff.

Copyright 2004 by United Press International