NS&D Monitor
4/3/2015
IN THE INDUSTRY
The consulting firm Longenecker & Associates has hired Martin Schneider as Vice President for Strategy and Business Development, effective April 16. Schneider last served as CEO for ExchangeMonitor Publications and Forum, a media and business intelligence firm focused on the environmental cleanup and nuclear security sectors. Prior to becoming CEO in 2011, Schneider served in a variety of positions for ExchangeMonitor including Editor-in-Chief, Editorial Director and Editor of Weapons Complex Monitor. “Marty brings a wealth of experience and insight to our team. He will be a great asset to our team and our clients in developing effective strategies for the markets of the future. We are honored that he chose to join our team,” L&A President John Longenecker said in a release issued this week.
IN CONGRESS
House Armed Services subcommittees will begin marking up their portions of the Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act April 22, with the Strategic Forces Subcommittee set to mark up its portion at noon April 23 in Room 2212 of the Rayburn House Office Building, HASC Chairman Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Texas) said yesterday. The full committee will mark up the bill starting at 10 a.m. on April 29 in Room 2118 of the Rayburn House Office Building.
The Senate Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee will hold a hearing on “Air Force and Navy Nuclear Programs and the Implementation of Nuclear Enterprise Review Recommendations” at 2:30 p.m. on April 22. The hearing will also review with Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2016 and the Future Years’ Defense Program. Senators will hear testimony from Maj. Gen. Garrett Harencak, Air Force Assistant Chief of Staff for Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration, Lt. Gen. Stephen Wilson, Commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, Vice Adm. Terry Benedict, Director of Navy Strategic Systems Programs, Dr. Yisroel Brumer, Director of Strategic, Defensive and Space Programs in the Office of the Secretary of Defense’s Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation division, and Madelyn Creedon, Deputy Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration.
IN THE AIR FORCE
The first helicopter group in the Air Force activated under the 20th Air Force during the Assumption of Command Ceremony of the 582nd Helicopter Group on March 27, on F.E. Warren AFB, according to an Air Force press release. The group will take over operations of the 37th, 40th and 54th Helicopter Squadrons along with forming the 582nd Operations Support Squadron. The group was created to improve mission effectiveness and standardization at all three missile wings at Malmstrom, Minot and F.E. Warren AFBs, and was part of Air Force Global Strike Command’s Force Improvement Program, according to the release. “Global strike command and particularly the helicopter and security forces mission within 20th AF and Task Force 214 are very unique to the Air Force in that our day-to-day operations,” said Lt. Col. James Blanchard, 582nd OSS commander. “While we are conducting operations, we need to be constantly focused and vigilant on what our operational mission is every day. We could be called at any time.”
AT STRATCOM
Two B-52s from Minot AFB’s 5th Bomb Wing and a pair from Barksdale AFB’s 2nd Bomb Wing, on April 2 completed simultaneous, roundtrip sorties from the U.S. to the Arctic and North Sea regions, respectively, according to a U.S. Strategic Command press release. Coined POLAR GROWL, the training mission allowed aircrews to hone navigation skills and enhanced their ability to work with allies, according to the release. “These flights, demonstrating the credible and flexible ability of our strategic bomber force in internationally-recognized flight information regions, are the culmination of months of planning and coordination,” said Adm. Cecil Haney, STRATCOM commander. “They are one of many ways we demonstrate interoperability, compliance with national and international protocols and due regard for the safety of all aircraft sharing the air space.”
IN THE NAVY
Cmdr. David Forman relieved Cmdr. Todd Figanbaum as commanding officer of the Ohio-class submarine USS Alaska (Blue) during a change of command ceremony March 27, according to a Navy press release. “Not only did I have the best job in the Navy, but was fortunate to have served and led one of the best crews executing our military’s most important mission—strategic deterrence,” Figanbaum said. “To lead a crew of 165 Sailors through four strategic deterrent patrols was challenging, but certainly an extremely rewarding experience.”
