The Insider

Tanker Hearing Set
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.

EFV Paper Trail
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."

Reducing Overhead
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

Subcommittee Rosters
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

Boom Bust
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.

Housekeeping
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.

Strategic Forces
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."

Members Only
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

 

 
College Man
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.

Minority Members
By John Liang
January 19, 2011 at 7:13 PM

The House Appropriations Committee's Democratic Caucus today named the Democrats that would be members of the panel's subcommittees. For the defense subcommittee, the members are:

Norm Dicks (WA) -- Ranking Member

Pete Visclosky (IN)

Jim Moran (VA)

Marcy Kaptur (OH)

Steve Rothman (NJ)

Maurice Hinchey (NY)

Upcoming Space Report
By John Liang
January 19, 2011 at 3:56 PM

The Union of Concerned Scientists just came out with a statement regarding the White House's forthcoming National Security Space Strategy and some possible themes the report could highlight:

The Obama administration is expected to release its National Security Space Strategy sometime in the next few weeks. The document will spell out how the Department of Defense and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence will carry out the president’s National Space Policy, which the administration issued last June.

Space is vital to U.S. national interests. For example, Americans depend on satellites for a broad range of critical civil and military services. The U.S. government, therefore, has a keen interest in maintaining satellite safety and security, protecting the space environment, and ensuring that insecurity in space does not threaten security on the ground.

Experts at the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) expect the space strategy document to consider security primarily from a military perspective. It is unlikely that it will address broader ways to approach space security and sustainability issues.

"While the strategy certainly will emphasize steps to strengthen the security and stability of space and foster international cooperation," said Laura Grego, a senior scientist with UCS’s Global Security Program, "it also will likely miss some important opportunities."

For example, the document is unlikely to recommend that the United States take the lead on space diplomacy, she said. Diplomatic engagement could help relieve suspicions among countries, reduce incentives for building anti-satellite systems and other space weapons by establishing negotiated limits, and avert space disputes.

The strategy document is likely to encourage bilateral discussions and confidence-building and transparency measures, what Grego called "a good start," but strong U.S. leadership could reap even greater rewards, she said. For example, a more robust diplomatic initiative that includes the major spacefaring countries would have the potential to increase cooperation with countries that are not traditional U.S. military allies, and spur other countries to develop realistic proposals that could ensure a safe and sustainable future in space.

The new National Security Space Strategy, like the National Space Policy, will not emphasize the role that arms control agreements could play as part of a larger scheme for keeping space secure. Well-crafted arms control proposals could lower the risk of arms races or conflicts in space or on the ground, Grego said, and protect the space environment from the harmful debris caused when countries deliberately destroy satellites.

Job Assignment
By John Liang
January 18, 2011 at 7:13 PM

Pentagon Assistant Deputy Chief Management Officer David Wennergren has been assigned as director of the Business Transformation Agency, according to a Pentagon statement issued this afternoon. The new assignment will be "in addition to his [current] duties," the statement adds. Wennergren's previous job was deputy chief information officer in the office of the assistant secretary of defense for networks and information integration (NII), which along with BTA has been on the budgetary chopping block.

Wennergren told Inside the Pentagon last summer that the information-sharing initiatives spearheaded by his office will play an integral role in Defense Secretary Robert Gates' plan to streamline efficiencies -- provided the office does not get eliminated in the name of efficiency:

In a July 22 interview with Inside the Pentagon, the Defense Department's Deputy Chief Information Officer David Wennergren said the push by the office of the assistant secretary of defense for networks and information integration (NII) for better information technology will contribute to the department's overall ability to become more efficient.

On the same morning Wennergren spoke with ITP, the Defense Business Board proposed eliminating the entire office.

Wennergren did not provide a response to the board's proposal at press time (July 28).

But during the interview, Wennergren said the ability of the department to use information technology in a more effective way can help with Gates' efficiency push, which calls for saving $100 billion over the next five years.

"It's my belief that the opportunities that lay before us in terms of how to deliver information capabilities as effectively as possible are going to be a great help to the secretary in terms of finding the efficiencies that he wants to achieve," Wennergren told ITP.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced in August his proposal to eliminate the CIO office as well as the Joint Staff's J-6 function, both of which deal with enterprise information technology and hardware issues. Their missions will be performed by other organizations, Gates said, noting a refashioned Defense Information Systems Agency will perform the department's chief information office function. Additionally, Gates proposed the elimination of the Business Transformation Agency and U.S. Joint Forces Command.

Other DOD personnel assignments announced today include:

Mary Justis has been appointed to the Senior Executive Service and is assigned as chief, health plan integration, Tricare Management Activity, Falls Church, Va.  Justis previously served as branch chief, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Atlanta, Ga. . . .

Sumit Agarwal has been assigned as senior advisor, Principal Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Policy), Cyber Engagement and Innovation, Washington, D.C.  Agarwal previously served as deputy assistant secretary of defense (public affairs outreach and social media), Washington, D.C.

Theresa M. Whelan has been assigned as deputy assistant secretary of defense (defense continuity and crisis management), Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Homeland Defense & America's Security Affairs), Washington, D.C.  Whelan previously served as deputy assistant secretary of defense (homeland defense domains and defense support of civil authorities), Washington, D.C.

Gregory Schulte has been assigned as deputy assistant secretary of defense (space policy), Washington, D.C.  Schulte previously served as foreign relations and defense policy manager (global strategic affairs), Washington, D.C.

Robert Salesses has been assigned as deputy assistant secretary of defense (homeland defense integration and defense support of civil authorities/chief of staff), Washington, D.C.  Salesses previously served as foreign relations and defense policy manager (homeland defense), Washington, D.C.

Robert Butler has been assigned as deputy assistant secretary of defense (cyber policy), Washington, D.C.  Butler previously served as deputy assistant secretary of defense (cyber and space policy), Washington, D.C. . . .

Brig. Gen. Samuel A. R. Greaves, vice commander, Space and Missile Systems Center, Air Force Space Command, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., to director of plans, programs and analyses, Headquarters Air Force Space Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo.

Col. Roger W. Teague, who has been selected for the rank of brigadier general, commander, Space Based Infrared Systems Wing, Space and Missile Systems Center, Air Force Space Command, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., to vice commander, Space and Missile Systems Center, Air Force Space Command, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif.

Col. Casey D. Blake, who has been selected for the rank of brigadier general, commander, Defense Contract Management Agency, Lockheed Martin Marietta, Marietta, Ga., to deputy commander, U.S. Central Command-Joint Theater Support Contracting Command, Afghanistan.

China Visit
By Christopher J. Castelli
January 18, 2011 at 5:50 PM

Defense Secretary Robert Gates -- who recently visited China, Japan and North Korea -- and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are slated meet with President Obama in the Oval Office late this afternoon, a couple of hours before the president hosts a private dinner for China's president, Hu Jintao.

Tonight's dinner will be attended by the president, Clinton, White House National Security Adviser Tom Donilon, Hu and two other Chinese officials, Donilon told reporters last week. Gates, who met with Hu last week in Beijing, is not slated to be there. This will be the eighth face-to-face meeting between Obama and Hu. The meal in the Old Family Dining Room at the White House will be an "unusually small dinner that we’ll have with President Hu, again reflecting the relationship that we are evolving, and the opportunity to have candid conversation in much less formal settings than you typically would see, frankly, in a meeting between the Chinese and the United States," Donilon said. Spouses will not attend, he noted.

On Wednesday morning, there will be an arrival ceremony on the South Lawn. This will be followed by a small bilateral meeting in the Oval Office and then an expanded bilateral meeting in the Cabinet Room. After those meetings, the two presidents will meet for about 45 minutes with U.S. and Chinese business leaders and CEOs in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. Then, Obama and Hu will hold a joint press conference. Next, Hu will attend a State Department luncheon hosted by Vice President Biden and Secretary Clinton. Hu is also slated to meet with House and Senate leaders Wednesday afternoon. That evening, the White House will hold a state dinner for Hu.

But expect to hear more from Hu the next day. He'll give a speech Thursday at the Marriott Wardman Park hotel during a luncheon held by the National Committee on United States-China Relations and the U.S.-China Business Council. After his speech, Hu is slated to fly to Chicago to attend various events.

ADVS Quits GCV
By Tony Bertuca
January 18, 2011 at 4:23 PM

A small Michigan company has officially withdrawn from the Army's Ground Combat Vehicle competition, blaming the service's expensive and “drawn-out” acquisition plan.

Advanced Defense Vehicle Systems of Lake Orion, MI, entered the GCV competition last year following the issuance of the program's first request for proposals. The company was denied a chance to participate in the process and filed a protest with the Government Accountability Office, stating that the process was unfairly tilted toward larger companies.

But the initial RFP was terminated in favor of a new one and ADVS ended its protest while setting its sights on competing again.

Also at issue was the fact ADVS proposed a wheeled GCV solution. Many experts and military officials believe the GCV's armor and payload requirements drive it toward a tracked solution.

Now, as the government prepares to receive responses to its RFP on Jan. 21, ADVS has pulled out of the competition citing concerns over the Army's seven-year time frame for the vehicle.

“This drawn-out Army process does not fit with ADVS' rapid development and fielding capabilities,” chief executive officer James LeBlanc said in a statement. It adds that “ADVS has shown with similar combat armored vehicles for foreign military use and with other major weapon system contracts that they can design, develop, integrate, prototype and field such an advanced system in one to two years.”

Defense consultant Mark Lott, former deputy commanding general of Marine Corps Combat Development Command, told InsideDefense.com today he was authorized to speak on behalf of ADVS by company owner James LeBlanc. “The bid process is so detailed, so long, and so expensive that it just doesn't make sense,” Lott said. “This is a very small company and I think they absolutely have the best solution, but this just doesn't fit their business model.”

Lott also said his experience in defense acquisitions leads him to believe that the program's estimated cost of $1.35 billion is not going to be well-received in the current fiscal environment. “I don't think this thing is going to make it across the river,” he said. “I just don't think it will come back from Congress approved.”

Lott said LeBlanc, a personal friend, also told him he believed the acquisition process was stacked in favor of larger companies. “There's no question it is,” Lott said. “These huge companies can spend more money, they have huge staffs and they can just outclass the smaller guy even though he has the better product.”

The statement from ADVS also offered a few words of wisdom for the Pentagon. “While ADVS supports the Army's concept, they encourage the U.S. Department of Defense to review the ADVS strategies and past performance and consider ways of developing and fielding vehicles quicker and more economically,” the release states. “Such a rapid process is counter to the current GCV strategy; though supportive of the philosophy of Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.”

'War Footing'
By John Liang
January 18, 2011 at 3:57 PM

The House Armed Services Committee will meet on Thursday morning to approve a new "rules package" and "oversight plan" proposed by panel Chairman Buck McKeon (R-CA) "that fulfills his commitment to place the Armed Services Committee on a 'war footing' in the 112th Congress," according to a committee statement issued this morning:

The draft rules package contains a reorganization of the Armed Services subcommittee structure that better aligns the seven subcommittees with current operations and future threats.  Other proposed changes to the committee rules fulfill new transparency requirements adopted by the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this month.

These include, but are not limited to, the following:

* Commitment to post online within 24 hours any amendment adopted by the committee;

* Commitment to post online within 48 hours the results of all roll call votes of the committee; and

* Commitment to post legislation online at least 24 hours prior to consideration by the committee.

The Armed Services Committee has a strong bipartisan tradition of translating oversight activities into prescriptive legislative action that provides for the nation’s common defense and the men and women of our Armed Forces.  The committee, under the leadership of Chairman McKeon, will continue to maintain a strong linkage between formal oversight efforts and legislative initiatives.  The committee’s draft oversight plan is the roadmap for how committee members will achieve that end.

As the committee executes its oversight activities, members may call upon the Secretary of Defense, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the individual service secretaries and chiefs of staff, combatant commanders, other officials of the Department of Defense and the military departments, officials from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Central Intelligence Agency and other defense-related intelligence agencies, and the Secretary of Energy, the Under Secretary for Nuclear Security and other officials of the Department of Energy.

Given the unique nature of the national security challenges facing America’s Armed Forces, including the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, Chairman McKeon believes that some high profile and immediate issues will not allow for members to plan comprehensively and predict all oversight activities.  Much of the committee’s most demanding oversight will be, by definition, event-driven and not subject to prior planning.

For example, Chairman McKeon has committed to placing the Armed Services Committee on a “war footing.”  This will include in-depth assessments of military operations and other major events that are generally difficult to predict in advance.  The committee’s oversight plan has been crafted to maintain an effective and flexible oversight structure to ensure current operations remain the top priority of the committee.

The committee’s oversight plan will also focus heavily of the fiscal health of the Department of Defense and military services.  Americans are demanding greater accountability on how the federal government spends taxpayer money.  Through its oversight activities, the committee will closely scrutinize Department of Defense programs, processes and weapons systems to ensure every taxpayer dollar is being spent wisely.