Time for A New Nuke Review? | Forget Politically Incorrect Heraldry

Jan. 6, 2021

Edited by Amy McCullough with Brian W. Everstine and Jennifer-Leigh Oprihory

STRATCOM Commander Holds Pentagon Briefing

U.S. Strategic Command boss Navy Adm. Charles A. "Chas" Richard, provides an update on the command's mission and readiness during the COVID-19 pandemic, at the Pentagon on Sept. 14, 2020. Defense Department photo by Lisa Ferdinando.

STRATCOM Welcomes Nuke Review, but Says Minuteman III Life Extension Should Not be Considered

By Brian W. Everstine

The head of U.S. Strategic Command said he welcomes a new review of nuclear policy, but extending the life of the MInuteman III should not be considered. Experts have said the Air Force’s Ground Based Strategic Deterrent effort, the massive program to replace the Minuteman III missile and its command and control systems, could come under the knife as President-elect Joseph R. Biden comes into the White House and looks to find savings in the Defense Department budget. STRATCOM boss Adm. Charles A. “Chas” Richard said that though the Air Force has done “revolutionary things” in modernizing the 60-year-old Minuteman III, the missile is simply too old to extend and needs to be replaced. “Let me be very clear: You cannot life-extend Minuteman III, alright?” Richard told reporters in a Jan. 5 virtual briefing.

Air Force to Commanders: Ditch Politically Incorrect Heraldry, Honors

By Jennifer-Leigh Oprihory

Air Force Secretary Barbara M. Barrett, USAF Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., and Space Force Chief of Space Operations Gen. John W. “Jay” Raymond have instructed commanders to review every visual symbol, phrase, and other form “of unit recognition and identity” to make sure they’re in line with the Department of the Air Force’s drive towards increased inclusion among its ranks. “Commanders, at the squadron level and above, will remove any visual representation, symbols, or language derogatory to any race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, age, or disability status to ensure an inclusive and professional environment,” a Jan. 5 release from the department states.

How USAF’s Top Maintenance School Is Preparing for Future Fights

By Jennifer-Leigh Oprihory

The U.S. Air Force Advanced Maintenance and Munitions Operations School is changing the way it molds maintenance and logistics experts in response to the service’s embrace of agile combat employment and to help USAF maintain its competitive edge amid great power competition, 57th Wing Commander Brig. Gen. Michael R. Drowley said Jan. 5. “The AMMOS school is really shifting their scan downrange right now to see what are the problems on the horizon that are gonna be rapidly approaching us here, and how do they focus their efforts appropriately?” he said during a virtual discussion with Air Force Association President retired USAF Lt. Gen. Bruce “Orville” Wright.

Lockheed Receives Up to $4.9 Billion for Next-Gen OPIR Satellites

By Brian W. Everstine

The Pentagon awarded Lockheed Martin Space up to $4.9 billion for three geosynchronous Earth-orbiting space vehicles, plus ground mission software, as part of the Overhead Persistent Infrared next-generation space-based missile warning systems. OPIR will eventually include the three GEO satellites from Lockheed, along with two Northrop Grumman satellites in polar orbit as part of Block 0. Under the new contract, Lockheed will provide engineering support for launch vehicle integration and early on-orbit checkout for all three vehicles, according to the Jan. 4 contract announcement. The award is a modification to a $2.9 billion contract from August 2018 to start work on the project.

Radar Sweep

Snapshot: DOD and COVID-19

Air Force Magazine

Here's a look at how the Defense Department is being impacted by and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Military Wants Volunteers to Test Another COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate

Military.com

A military hospital at Fort Bragg, N.C., has been selected to participate in research on a new coronavirus vaccine that uses a stabilized form of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to generate an immune response.

10 of 15 of DOD’s Major IT Projects Are Behind Schedule, GAO Found

Nextgov

The Defense Department’s software development approaches are helping to avoid cost increases and schedule delays for many major information technology systems, but uneven implementation of cybersecurity best practices may be introducing risk to these programs, according to a watchdog report.

Homeland Security Today Honors AFA CyberPatriot Leader

Homeland Security Today

Each year, Homeland Security Today honors shining stars in the community who are making their own unique, invaluable contributions to advance the mission of keeping America safer from myriad threats. This year, with the unprecedented coronavirus pandemic affecting every facet of homeland security, testing our preparedness and response, and devastating our communities, the publication singled out Mission Award winners—including Rachel Zimmerman, senior director of CyberPatriot business operations at the Air Force Association—whose work has focused on COVID-19 response.

J6 Says JADC2 Is a Strategy; Service Posture Reviews Coming

Breaking Defense

The Joint Staff plans a lightning-fast analysis of the gaps in service capabilities needed for implementation of joint all-domain command and control, with results expected as soon as the end of February, says Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Dennis A. Crall, who leads the effort as the head of the J6.

Gulf Arab Leaders Sign Declaration to Ease Rift with Qatar

The Associated Press

Gulf Arab leaders signed a declaration on Jan. 5 in Saudi Arabia to mark a new page in relations following the kingdom’s decision to end a 3 1/2-year embargo of Qatar, easing a rift that deeply divided regional U.S. security allies and frayed social ties across the interconnected Arabian Peninsula.

US Hits Iran with Fresh Sanctions as Trump Term Nears End

Reuters

The United States on Jan. 5 blacklisted a Chinese company that makes elements for steel production, 12 Iranian steel and metals makers, and three foreign-based sales agents of a major Iranian metals and mining holding company, seeking to deprive Iran of revenues as U.S. President Donald J. Trump’s term winds down.

DC Mayor Calls in National Guard Ahead of Pro-Trump Protests

The Associated Press

Bracing for possible violence, the nation’s capital has mobilized the National Guard ahead of planned protests by President Donald J. Trump’s supporters in connection with the congressional vote expected Jan. 6 to affirm Joe Biden’s election victory.

Biden to Tap More Obama Vets to Fill Key National Security Roles

POLITICO

These positions could be announced as soon as this week along with a larger slate of national security and foreign policy roles.

Navy Seal Pleads Guilty in Strangulation Death Case of Army Green Beret Staff Sergeant

Army Times

A third defendant charged in the strangulation death of a Green Beret staff sergeant while deployed to Mali in 2017 has agreed to plead guilty. Navy Chief Special Warfare Operator Tony E. DeDolph has agreed to plead guilty to some of the charges against him, while others are being dismissed as part of a pre-trial agreement, his attorney told Military Times.

One More Thing

The White House's Planetary Protection Strategy Is About Space Invaders, but Not the Kind You Think

The Drive

As military and commercial activity in space increases, there is a growing risk of unwanted guests coming back to Earth.