Defense Industry Wary of Buy American
Defense advocates note that foreign military sales fuel a $40.6 billion trade surplus for the sector and help Washington gain interoperability with allied militaries, and they warn those benefits could decline under Biden’s Buy American plans.
DoD Will Terminate Unvaxxed Civilians
The DoD’s civilian employees who refuse to be vaccinated will face an escalating series of punishments, beginning with five days of education and counseling, 14 days of unpaid suspension, and finally termination “for failing to follow a direct order.”
Remote Work Brings Cyberattacks
An industry study found 74% of organizations attribute recent business-impacting cyberattacks to remote work tech vulnerabilities and that remote and hybrid work models are eroding businesses’ security perimeters.
Hypersonic Weapons Worry Congress
Concerned with a gap in the military’s ability to detect low-flying hypersonic weapons, lawmakers want the Pentagon to deliver a progress report by the end of November on its efforts to use radar to detect the weapons that can travel in excess of five times the speed of sound, covering vast distances in minutes.
MQ-25 Conducts First-Ever Unmanned Aerial Refueling
The MQ-25 Stingray program’s first-ever aerial refueling of a manned receiver aircraft by an unmanned tanker was successful. The test took place June 4 out of MidAmerica Airport in Illinois.
Cyber Chief: Mission Force Needs to Grow
GEN Paul Nakasone, head of the US Cyber Command, hinted last week at a House subcommittee hearing that he believes his cyber force could soon see a growth in personnel.
Fagan Nominated Vice Commandant USCG
USCG VADM Linda Fagan nominated as vice commandant of the Coast Guard. Fagan is the head of the Pacific area of operations and will become the first woman to achieve a fourth-star in the Coast Guard.
How About ‘Zoom-Free Fridays’?
Citigroup has declared “Zoom-Free Fridays,” an effort to combat employee fatigue triggered by remote working during the COVID-19 pandemic. “I know from your feedback and my own experience, the blurring of lines between home and work and the relentlessness of the pandemic workday have taken a toll on our well-being,” the company CEO wrote in a memo to employees.
Capitol Needs Permanent Guard Team
The security review led by retired Army LT GEN Russel L. Honoré has called for numerous new security measures to be instituted to provide “quick action” for future security emergencies such as the deadly Jan. 6 attack on Congress.
GOP Lawmakers Urge Hike in Defense Budget
Eight GOP lawmakers, led by House Armed Services Committee member Mike Rogers, are urging President Joe Biden to increase the defense budget by 3% to 5%. They say the hike would be a prudent investment to stay ahead of China and other threats.
