The Senate on Wednesday confirmed Air Force Gen. John Hyten to be commander of U.S. Strategic Command, replacing outgoing Adm. Cecil Haney. Hyten currently leads the Air Force Space Command, overseeing U.S. space and cyberspace forces since assuming the position in 2014.
Hyten has served in space acquisition and operations positions, including as vice commander of Air Force Space Command and director of space acquisition in the Office of the Undersecretary of the Air Force. Lt. Gen. John Raymond, currently Air Force deputy chief of staff for operations, was previously confirmed to replace Hyten as commander of Air Force Space Command.
STRATCOM is responsible for oversight of U.S. strategic deterrence and the nation’s nuclear arsenal.
The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB) is closing its recommendation to the Department of Energy (DOE) to strengthen the regulatory framework meant to protect the public and DOE defense nuclear facility workers, DNFSB Chairman Joyce Connery wrote in a Sept. 23 letter to Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz.
Recommendation 2010-1, “Safety Analysis Requirements for Defining Adequate Protection for the Public and the Workers,” directed DOE to update its guidance for public and worker safety, “particularly in cases where Documented Safety Analyses (DSAs) indicate the potential for mitigated offsite consequences to exceed DOE’s Evaluation Guideline of 25 rem Total Effective Dose [of radiation],” the letter said.
The department revised key nuclear safety directives in response, the letter noted, including for the preparation of nonreactor nuclear facility documented safety analysis, and for review and approval of nuclear facility safety basis and safety design basis documents.
“These updated standards contain significantly improved requirements that clarify DOE’s expectations for ensuring adequate protection at DOE defense nuclear facilities,” Connery wrote. The letter said the only remaining action for DOE involves revising its “Integration of Safety into the Design Process” standard. It noted that DOE’s actions will satisfy the intent of DNFSB’s recommendation.
Honeywell Federal Manufacturing & Technology’s internal cost allowability audits have been reliable, the Department of Energy’s Office of Inspector General (IG) found in a Sept. 21 assessment report of the contractor’s audits from fiscal 2012 through 2014.
Honeywell FM&T has served as the management and operations contractor for the National Security Campus in Kansas City, Mo., since October 2010, with an annual budget of approximately $900 million. The site produces non-nuclear components for nuclear weapons. Allowable costs are those that comply with the terms of the contract and relevant regulations.
The IG found that Honeywell incurred approximately $2 billion in costs from fiscal 2012-2014. The contractor’s internal audit identified $289,110 in questioned costs during that time, all of which were resolved, the IG said. The company also conducted 12 audits of subcontractors and identified $7,070 in questioned costs, which were also resolved, it added. “We did not identify any material internal control weaknesses with the cost allowability audits,” the IG said. Its audit made no recommendations.
