The Insider

By Dan Taylor
January 25, 2011 at 7:18 PM

Echoing comments made by senior Defense Department officials in recent weeks, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus told reporters today that department leaders are in discussions with Congress on the effects of a year-long continuing resolution if a defense appropriations bill for fiscal year 2011 is not passed.

"I know that [Defense] Secretary [Robert] Gates, Bob Hale, the comptroller of the Pentagon, and all of the services are actively engaged [with Congress] in talking about this and explaining what the repercussions are of operating under the traditional continuing resolution," he said following an event in Washington.

Mabus said a continuing resolution, which caps spending at 2010 levels and bans any new starts, "presents some real issues for DOD as a whole," and "those are going to have some real impacts on the Navy and on DOD going forward."

The federal government is operating under a continuing resolution passed by Congress late last month. That resolution expires March 4 and Congress will have to either pass an omnibus appropriations bill before that date or extend the continuing resolution.

Last week, InsideDefense.com reported that the Pentagon is finalizing contingency plans for how to endure under a continuing resolution that would last the balance of FY-11. Pentagon acquisition chief Ashton Carter has asked the service procurement chiefs to identify which programs would be affected if Congress extends the stopgap spending measure beyond March 4 instead of passing the appropriations bill.

By Sebastian Sprenger
January 25, 2011 at 3:07 PM

The Army still owes Congress a report with information about the analysis of alternatives crafted as part of the Ground Combat Vehicle program. As Inside the Army reports in this week's issue, quoting an Army spokeswoman, officials submitted an "interim response" to lawmakers on Jan. 15. That was the deadline day for a reporting requirement in the fiscal year 2011 National Defense Authorization Act.

As it turns out, that interim response amounts to very little. The one-page memo, which we obtained this week, simply states the report will be late. "The U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command completed a GCV AoA Executive Summary Briefing, containing a thorough and detailed listing of the AoA results, in response to an Army tasking in December 2010," Army Deputy Chief of Staff (G-3/5/7) Lt. Gen. Daniel Bolger wrote in the memo.

"That report is currently in staffing and the Army will forward the report to the committees no later than March 31, 2011, along with an explanation of any plans, if any, to adjust the requirements of the GCV program during the technology-development phase," Bolger wrote.

The delay means a provision on the authorization legislation takes effect, restricting the use of funds for the program. But don't expect the Army to get too worked up about that. As the three-month evaluation period of the GCV begins, no contract is due to be handed down anyway. And with the report scheduled for delivery in later March, Army officials can wait out the ensuing 30 days of congressional vetting mandated by law and still be able to spend money shortly after a milestone A decision, which is expected in late April.

Of course, there is also the question of how much money lawmakers would appropriate for GCV in a long-overdue defense spending bill in March, if they can agree on a budget bill for the remainder of FY-11 in the first place.

By Dan Taylor
January 24, 2011 at 8:53 PM

The P-8A Poseidon program awarded its first low-rate initial production contract to manufacturer Boeing late Friday.

The contract, valued at $1.53 billion, covers the purchase of six P-8A maritime surveillance aircraft and “associated spares, support equipment and tools, logistics support, trainers and courseware,” according to a Jan. 21 Defense Department contract announcement. Work should be complete in January 2013.

P-8 program manager Capt. Mike Moran told Inside the Navy last week that the program is already hard at work on the second LRIP contract, which Boeing should receive in the summer for seven aircraft.

However, if the Pentagon has to run on a continuing resolution for the rest of the year, the program will only be able to buy six aircraft. The program is studying whether that would jeopardize the 2013 in-service date of the aircraft, according to Moran.

By John Liang
January 24, 2011 at 3:30 PM

Last August, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Kuwait of 209 MIM-104E PATRIOT Guidance Enhanced Missile-T (GEM-T) Missiles for an estimated cost of $900 million.

This morning, Raytheon announced a $145 million portion of that sale, according to a company statement.

The Army's Aviation and Missile Command at Redstone Arsenal, AL, "issued the contract to complement Kuwait's Configuration-3 radar system upgrade work already underway at Raytheon," the statement reads. Further:

"This new GEM-T missile production contract highlights the efforts by Kuwait Air Defense to maintain readiness and effectiveness of the Patriot Air and Missile System to counter evolving regional threats," said Sanjay Kapoor, vice president of Patriot Programs at Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS). "We continue to modernize the Patriot system and are committed to providing Kuwait and our 11 other partner nations globally with increased system reliability and reduced life-cycle costs."

According to the Aug. 11, 2010, DSCA announcement:

This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a Major Non-NATO ally which has been, and continues to be, an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.

Kuwait needs these missiles to meet current and future threats of enemy air-to-ground weapons. Kuwait will use the increased capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defense. Kuwait will have no difficulty absorbing these missiles into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

By Christopher J. Castelli
January 24, 2011 at 2:10 PM

Defense cuts are "absolutely" on the table, Eric Cantor (R-VA), the House majority leader, said Sunday on NBC’s Meet the Press.

"I've said before, no one can defend the expenditure of every dollar and cent over at the Pentagon." he said. "And we've got to be very serious to make sure that they are doing more with less as well."

This week, the House will have a vote on the floor directing its appropriations committees "to go about deliberating on where those cuts are" for defense and other areas, Cantor noted. Across the government, there are hundreds of programs that will have to be cut, he added.

On CBS' Face the Nation, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) accused Republicans of seeking to avoid defense cuts despite the huge the deficit. "But for instance, they leave the military totally out," he said. "Now, I'm for a strong military, and I've always supported it. But everyone knows there's waste and inefficiency in the military budget. Defense Secretary Gates has proposed cutting $150 billion out of it. And if you want to be fair, if you want to convince people that you're really for cutting, you have to cut the waste across the board."

Meanwhile, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Secretary of State Colin Powell said on CNN that defense cuts should be considered. "Yeah. I think we have to look at everything, both domestic and our international accounts. As we draw down from Iraq and as, over the next several years, we draw down from Afghanistan, I see no reason why the military shouldn't be looked at," Powell said.

"When the Cold War ended 20 years ago, when I was chairman and Mr. Cheney was secretary of defense, we cut the defense budget by 25 percent, and we reduced the force by 500,000 active duty soldiers," Powell added. "So it can be done. Now, how fast you can do it and what you have to cut out remains to be seen. But I don't think the defense budget can be made, you know, sacrosanct and it can't be touched." But the "real money" is in the entitlements such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, he said. "And unless we do something about those, you can't balance the budget."

Such cuts are tough to make politically, Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND) said on ABC’s This Week: "The American people say don't touch Social Security, don't touch Medicare, don't cut defense. That's 84 percent of the federal budget. . . . So, you know, there needs to be leadership to help the American people understand how serious this problem is and that it's going to take a lot more than cutting foreign aid and taxing the rich. You're not going to solve the problem that way."

Asked about rumors he might be tapped to succeed Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Powell told CNN: "But the administration knows that I'm quite content with the work I'm doing now with young people, with education and a variety of other interests that I have. . . . I'm not anxious to be offered a government job and I'm not interested in a government job."

By John Liang
January 21, 2011 at 10:32 PM

The House Armed Services Committee just released the witness list for next Wednesday's hearing on Defense Secretary Robert Gates' budgetary efficiencies proposals.

A notable absence: Gates himself. Instead, the following Pentagon officials are slated to appear, according to the committee statement:

  • The Honorable William Lynn, Deputy Secretary of U.S. Department of Defense;
  • General Peter W. Chiarelli, USA, Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army;
  • Admiral Jonathan W. Greenert, USN, Vice Chief of Naval Operations of the U.S. Navy;
  • General Joseph F. Dunford Jr., USMC, Assistant Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps; and
  • General Philip M. Breedlove, USAF, Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force.
By Marcus Weisgerber
January 21, 2011 at 10:10 PM

The Senate Armed Services Committee has scheduled a hearing next week to review the Air Force's inadvertent disclosure of KC-X tanker evaluation data.

While the witnesses testifying at the Jan. 27, 9:30 a.m. hearing are “to be determined,” it's fair to say that David Van Buren, the Air Force's acting acquisition executive, would likely be one of them. The hearing is the latest bit of drama to surround the service's tanker replacement effort.

Committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-MI) agreed to hold the hearing late last year in response to an incident in which the Air Force mistakenly sent Boeing bid evaluation data to EADS and EADS data to Boeing. Boeing-friendly Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) urged Levin to hold the hearing.

The announcement comes one day after Cantwell sent a letter to Levin urging him to ask the Air Force the following questions:

  • What steps were taken to ensure EADS did not gain an unfair competitive advantage by having Boeing data for more than a month before the investigation was completed by the Air Force?
  • What did the Air Force’s forensic analysis show?
  • Were each company’s actions consistent with ethics rules, standards and practices described in the Air Force’s ethics briefing each bidder received?
  • Will the data release compromise the part of the bidding process that includes the three adjustments to price?
  • If so, what does this means for the competition?

Last week, Air Force Secretary Michael Donley said he does not expect the congressional investigation into inadvertent disclosure of KC-X data to hinder the service's plans to award the $35 billion contract. "I don't think the hearing issue is connected to our source-selection process," Donley said at a Jan. 12 Air Force Association-sponsored breakfast.

By John Liang
January 21, 2011 at 9:05 PM

With all the recent brouhaha about Defense Secretary Robert Gates' proposed cancellation of the multibillion-dollar Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle program, we thought it might be worthwhile to go back and revisit some of the governmental paper trail before and after his decision -- all the way back to 2007:

GD Briefing Slides On Keeping EFVs

In a Jan. 12, 2011, presentation labeled "everybody wins," General Dynamics lobbyists argue that cutting the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle procurement quantity of record from 573 to 200 vehicles would save billions of dollars while providing jobs in Ohio and Michigan.

Lawmakers' Letters On The EFV Program

In a Jan. 6, 2011, letter to President Obama, Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown (D) and Reps. Marcy Kaptur (D), Patrick Tiberi (R), Steve Austria (R), Bob Latta (R), Tim Ryan (D), Michael Turner (R), Steven LaTourette (R) and Jim Jordan (R) oppose the elimination of the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle program. Also includes a Jan. 6 Brown/Kaptur/Jordan statement, a related Jan. 6 letter from Jordan to Defense Secretary Robert Gates and a Jan. 7 letter from Turner to Gates.

CRS Report On The Marine Corps' EFV

The Sept. 1, 2010, Congressional Research Service report discusses background and issues for Congress regarding the Marine Corps' Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle.

Sen. Brown Letter To Mabus On The EFV Program

In a Sept. 28, 2010, letter to Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) urges Mabus to continue the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle program.

Virginia Senators' Letter To Gates On EFV

In a Sept. 30, 2010, letter to Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Virginia Sens. Mark Warner (D) and Jim Webb (D) call for the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle program to complete development and testing before its fate is decided.

DOD's Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle ADMs

The June 5, 2007, acquisition decision memorandum certifies "a restructured (EFV) program that extends System Development and Demonstration (SDD) to allow development of a second set of EFV prototypes and delays milestone C (MS C) to 2011." Also includes a subsequent June 18, 2008, ADM that approves proceeding to the SDD-2 phase, including the procurement of seven prototype systems. Note: Both memos are marked "for official use only."

By John Liang
January 21, 2011 at 4:25 PM

InsideDefense.com reported earlier this month that the Pentagon had insulated its weapon system modernization accounts from a five-year, $78 billion cut imposed on military spending by the White House during the fiscal year 2012 budget endgame, allowing the services to retain $100 billion in efficiencies garnered since June by cutting overhead activities to bolster procurement and force structure accounts. Further:

Anticipating scrutiny of defense spending because of the nation's weakening fiscal position, Gates last spring began pushing the DOD to begin finding ways to be more efficient. In total, Gates today said the Pentagon identified $154 billion in efficiencies over five years, a sum greater than the $102 billion target he set in June.

"For all of these DOD-wide initiatives, a major objective beyond creating monetary savings was to make this department less cumbersome, less top-heavy, and more agile and effective in the execution of its responsibilities," Gates said. "My hope and expectation is that, as a result of these changes over time, what had been a culture of endless money, where cost was rarely a consideration, will become a culture of savings and restraint."

In the end, the military departments each found more than $28.3 billion over five years, as Gates requested, collectively identifying $100 billion in efficiencies. Of this sum, $28 billion will be spent by all four services to finance what Gates said are “higher-than-expected operating costs,” including health care, pay housing expenses, weapons maintenance and training.

"Frankly, using the savings in this way was not my original intent or preference, but we have little choice but to deal with these so-called 'must-pay' bills -- and better to confront them honestly now than through raiding investment accounts later," Gates said.

The defense secretary originally wanted efficiencies to be plowed back into modernization and force structure accounts.

One of the outside organizations tasked in recent years to explore ways of reducing overhead is the Defense Business Board. Arnold Punaro, who chaired a DBB task group that looked at the topic last summer, noted in July that this was not the first time the DBB has been asked to look into ways of reducing overhead:

I might point out that a number of the DBB members to include our Chairman Michael Bayer, Dov Zakheim, Denis Bovin and others worked on an effort I chaired in 1997 for then Secretary Cohen where we spent almost a year making recommendations on many of the same overhead problems the Department faces today. Not many of the problems identified then have been solved. These problems are difficult, both inside and out of the Pentagon, and they require discipline over a number of years to fully address.

In some cases, you never get to the facts or merits because of the emotion tied up in issues. Frankly speaking, many are in what some call the "too hard" box because about every three years either someone in the Pentagon or on the outside or both, conducts another study on trying to effectively address DoD’s overhead. Today the Task Group is identifying many of the tough choices that must be made, not only because it is good business management, but today's fiscal environment and future war fighting requirements will not tolerate these inefficiencies.

This Board has been recommending ways for the Department to improve its effectiveness and delivery of service for years. The Board's most important work to date was our advice for the Transition to the incoming 2009 Administration. In that report, the DBB articulated three existential challenges facing the Department that required immediate attention: (1) lowering the overhead cost, (2) slowing the ballooning acquisition costs, and (3) addressing the root causes of health care costs.

Time will tell whether DOD takes the board's recommendations into account -- and whether they pay off. Click here to read the DBB's findings from last year.

And see below for our coverage of some of the DBB's more recent work:

Defense Business Board: Establish New Office For Strategic Sourcing

DefenseAlert, Jan. 20, 2011 -- The Pentagon should establish an office within its acquisition directorate to oversee strategic sourcing directives and prevent duplication and inefficiency among the military departments, according to the Defense Business Board.
DOCUMENT: DBB Strategic Sourcing Task Force Final Report
RELATED: Business Board: Pentagon Should Reconsider CMO Position

By John Liang
January 20, 2011 at 8:32 PM

The House Armed Services Committee just released its list of subcommittee leaders and members for the 112th Congress:

Emerging Threats and Capabilities:

Republican Members (10)

Mac Thornberry of Texas, Chairman

Jeff Miller of Florida

John Kline of Minnesota

Bill Shuster of Pennsylvania

Michael Conaway of Texas

Chris Gibson of New York

Bobby Schilling of Illinois

Allen West of Florida

Trent Franks of Arizona

Duncan Hunter of California

Democratic Members (8)

Jim Langevin of Rhode Island, Ranking Member

Loretta Sanchez of California

Robert Andrews of New Jersey

Susan Davis of California

Tim Ryan of Ohio

C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger of Maryland

Hank Johnson of Georgia

Kathy Castor of Florida

Military Personnel:

Republican Members (8)

Joe Wilson of South Carolina, Chairman

Walter B. Jones of North Carolina

Mike Coffman of Colorado

Tom Rooney of Florida

Joe Heck of Nevada

Allen West of Florida

Austin Scott of Georgia

Vicky Hartzler of Missouri

Democratic Members (6)

Susan Davis of California, Ranking Member

Robert Brady of Pennsylvania

Madeleine Bordallo of Guam

Dave Loebsack of Iowa

Niki Tsongas of Massachusetts

Chellie Pingree of Maine

Oversight and Investigations:

Republican Members (6)

Robert J. Wittman of Virginia, Chairman

Michael Conaway of Texas

Mo Brooks of Alabama

Todd Young of Indiana

Tom Rooney of Florida

Mike Coffman of Colorado

Democratic Members (4)

Jim Cooper of Tennessee, Ranking Member

Robert Andrews of New Jersey

Loretta Sanchez of California

Colleen Hanabusa of Hawaii

Readiness:

Republican Members (12)

J. Randy Forbes of Virginia, Chairman

Mike Rogers of Alabama

Joe Heck of Nevada

Austin Scott of Georgia

Frank A. LoBiondo of New Jersey

Chris Gibson of New York

Vicky Hartzler of Missouri

Bobby Schilling of Illinois

Jon Runyan of New Jersey

Tim Griffin of Arkansas

Steve Palazzo of Mississippi

Martha Roby of Alabama

Democratic Members (9)

Madeleine Bordallo of Guam, Ranking Member

Silvestre Reyes of Texas

Joe Courtney of Connecticut

Dave Loebsack of Iowa

Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona

Larry Kissell of North Carolina

Bill Owens of New York

Tim Ryan of Ohio

Colleen Hanabusa of Hawaii

Seapower and Projection Forces:

Republican Members (11)

W. Todd Akin of Missouri, Chairman

Duncan Hunter of California

Mike Coffman of Colorado

Scott Rigell of Virginia

Tim Griffin of Arkansas

Steve Palazzo of Mississippi

Todd Young of Indiana

Roscoe G. Bartlett of Maryland

J. Randy Forbes of Virginia

Robert J. Wittman of Virginia

Todd Platts of Pennsylvania

Democratic Members (9)

Mike McIntyre of North Carolina, Ranking Member

Susan Davis of California

Jim Langevin of Rhode Island

Rick Larsen of Washington State

Joe Courtney of Connecticut

Chellie Pingree of Maine

Mark Critz of Pennsylvania

Hank Johnson of Georgia

Betty Sutton of Ohio

Strategic Forces:

Republican Members (9)

Michael R. Turner of Ohio, Chairman

Trent Franks of Arizona

Doug Lamborn of Colorado

Mo Brooks of Alabama

Mac Thornberry of Texas

Mike Rogers of Alabama

John Fleming of Louisiana

Scott Rigell of Virginia

Austin Scott of Georgia

Democratic Members (7)

Loretta Sanchez of California, Ranking Member

Jim Langevin of Rhode Island

Rick Larsen of Washington State

Martin Heinrich of New Mexico

John Garamendi of California

C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger of Maryland

Betty Sutton of Ohio

Tactical Air and Land Forces:

Republican Members (14)

Roscoe G. Bartlett of Maryland, Chairman

Frank A. LoBiondo of New Jersey

John Fleming of Louisiana

Tom Rooney of Florida

Todd Platts of Pennsylvania

Vicky Hartzler of Missouri

Jon Runyan of New Jersey

Martha Roby of Alabama

Walter B. Jones of North Carolina

W. Todd Akin of Missouri

Joe Wilson of South Carolina

Michael R. Turner of Ohio

Bill Shuster of Pennsylvania

Doug Lamborn of Colorado

Democratic Members (11)

Silvestre Reyes of Texas, Ranking Member

Mike McIntyre of North Carolina

Jim Cooper of Tennessee

Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona

Niki Tsongas of Massachusetts

Larry Kissell of North Carolina

Martin Heinrich of New Mexico

Bill Owens of New York

John Garamendi of California

Mark Critz of Pennsylvania

Kathy Castor of Florida

By Jason Sherman
January 20, 2011 at 7:19 PM

An aerial refueling tanker -- a modified Airbus 330 similar in design to the aircraft European defense giant EADS wants to sell the U.S. Air Force -- suffered damage when its refueling boom broke off over European skies and fell into the sea while attempting to provide gas to a Portuguese F-16, according to a statement by the Australian defense ministry:

The aircraft was being operated by Airbus Military Corporation. No Australian personnel were on board the MRTT at the time of the incident.

The incident resulted in the detachment and partial loss of the refueling boom from the MRTT, which fell into the sea.

Both aircraft suffered some damage but returned safely to their home airfields.

Project AIR 5402 will supply five MRTT aircraft to the Australian Defence Force. Design, development and testing of the prototype aircraft is being undertaken by Airbus Military at its facilities in Madrid, Spain.

Airbus Military and the relevant European military airworthiness authorities will have the lead responsibility for investigating the incident.

Australian Defence experts will participate in the investigation process.

Guy Hicks, spokesman for EADS North America, said he had no further information on the incident.

As soon as February, the Air Force plans to select a winner in the $35 billion competition between EADS and Boeing to build 179 tankers.

By Amanda Palleschi
January 20, 2011 at 6:18 PM

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Buck McKeon (R-CA) and Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-WA) today introduced the members who will serve on the panel during the 112th Congress

At its first organizational meeting, the 62-member committee also approved rule changes and introduced new members from both parties. The committee includes 24 new Democrats and 12 new Republicans.

The panel also announced that a committee briefing discussing Defense Secretary Gates' efficiencies initiative is scheduled for Wednesday, January 26, 2011, in 2118 Rayburn House Office Building. Whether Gates will be present is unclear, a panel spokesman said.

The committee also will hear briefings from the Pentagon's combatant commanders in closed sessions, the spokesman said. The first is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 25.

By John Liang
January 20, 2011 at 4:47 PM

The top Democrat on the House Armed Services strategic forces subcommittee will be Rep. Loretta Sanchez (CA), according to a statement released by her office this morning:

Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-47) today announced that she will serve as the Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces.  In her new role, Rep. Sanchez will oversee our nation’s strategic weapons, ballistic missile defense, space programs, and Department of Energy national security programs. The Congresswoman will also continue to be a senior member of the Subcommittees on Emerging Threats and Capabilities and Oversight and Investigations.

"I am honored that my Democratic colleagues on the Armed Services Committee have selected me to serve as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces," said Rep. Sanchez. "There is perhaps no greater responsibility than ensuring our nation is properly prepared for a potential missile or nuclear attack. I look forward to working with Chairman McKeon, Ranking Member Smith, and Subcommittee Chair Turner as we look for new, more effective ways to assess and protect against threats to America’s security."

"I am pleased that Rep. Sanchez will be the lead Democratic Member on the Strategic Forces Subcommittee," said House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-WA). "She did a tremendous job as Chair of the Terrorism and Unconventional Subcommittee. Moving forward, I am confident that she will be equally effective as the Ranking Member on the Strategic Forces Subcommittee and work tirelessly to ensure our country is well-prepared to address a new generation of security challenges."

By John Liang
January 19, 2011 at 11:06 PM

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Buck McKeon (R-CA) and Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-WA) just released the full list of the lawmakers who will serve on the panel. "The announcement precedes the committee's organizational meeting scheduled for Thursday, January 20, 2011, at 10:00 a.m., in 2118 Rayburn House Office Building," a panel statement reads.

Republican Members (35)

Democratic Members (27)

Howard P. “Buck” McKeon of California

Adam Smith of Washington

Roscoe G. Bartlett of Maryland

Silvestre Reyes of Texas

Mac Thornberry of Texas

Loretta Sanchez of California

Walter B. Jones of North Carolina

Mike McIntyre of North Carolina

W. Todd Akin of Missouri

Robert Brady of Pennsylvania

J. Randy Forbes of Virginia

Robert Andrews of New Jersey

Jeff Miller of Florida

Susan Davis of California

Joe Wilson of South Carolina

Jim Langevin of Rhode Island

Frank A. LoBiondo of New Jersey

Rick Larsen of Washington State

Michael R. Turner of Ohio

Jim Cooper of Tennessee

John Kline of Minnesota

Madeleine Bordallo of Guam

Mike Rogers of Alabama

Joe Courtney of Connecticut

Trent Franks of Arizona

Dave Loebsack of Iowa

Bill Shuster of Pennsylvania

Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona

Michael Conaway of Texas

Niki Tsongas of Massachusetts

Doug Lamborn of Colorado

Chellie Pingree of Maine

Robert J. Wittman of Virginia

Larry Kissell of North Carolina

Duncan D. Hunter of California

Martin Heinrich of New Mexico

John Fleming of Louisiana

Bill Owens of New York

Mike Coffman of Colorado

John Garamendi of California

Tom Rooney of Florida

Mark Critz of Pennsylvania

Todd Platts of Pennsylvania

Tim Ryan of Ohio

Scott Rigell of Virginia

C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger of Maryland

Chris Gibson of New York

Hank Johnson of Georgia

Vicky Hartzler of Missouri

Kathy Castor of Florida

Joe Heck of Nevada

Betty Sutton of Ohio

Bobby Schilling of Illinois

Colleen Hanabusa of Hawaii

Jon Runyan of New Jersey

 

Austin Scott of Georgia

 

Tim Griffin of Arkansas

 

Steve Palazzo of Mississippi

 

Allen West of Florida

 

Martha Roby of Alabama

 

Mo Brooks of Alabama

 

Todd Young of Indiana

 

 

By Dan Dupont
January 19, 2011 at 10:27 PM

The National War College has a new commandant -- Rear Adm. Douglas McAneny.

The War College is one of five within the National Defense University.

From an NDU release:

During the ceremony, VADM Anne E. Rondeau, USN, President of the National Defense University, praised RADM McAneny, calling him a "man who loves the world of ideas" and a "leader who wants to be in the classroom." . . .

Rear Admiral McAneny is a 1978 graduate of the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Naval Reserve Officers Training Unit with a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in civil engineering, and holds a Master of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Oklahoma.

His early sea tours included assignments as division officer, USS Trepang (SSN-674); USS Tunny (SSN-682); executive officer, USS Drum (SSN-677); and officer-in-charge of Moored Training Ship (MTS-635).

McAneny’s first command assignment was as Commanding Officer of USS Philadelphia (SSN-690). During his command, the ship was awarded three consecutive Battle “E” Awards.

Tours ashore include assignments as flag lieutenant, Commander Submarine Group 2; a Joint tour at the U.S. Strategic Command serving as plans and policy directorate (J5); assistant to the Director for Training, Personnel and Policy matters for the Director Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program (NAVSEA 08); Commander, Submarine Squadron 11 with additional duties as Commander, Submarine Force U.S. Pacific Fleet representative West Coast; as executive assistant and senior Naval aide to the Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet headquartered in Pearl Harbor and deputy director for Politico-Military Affairs (Europe/NATO/Russia/Africa)(J5) on the Joint Staff in Washington.