AROUND THE WORLD
TEAR: The Los Angeles Times is reporting The Building has plans to secure chemical stockpiles inside Syria — and it involves special operations forces.
ON THE FIGHT
Don’t call it a comeback — and whatever you do, don’t call it cyberwar. The Air Force (and the rest of the Department of Defense, for that matter) would prefer if you called it Cyberspace Warfare Operations. When that won’t suffice, go with Special Technical Operations.
Chairman Dempsey visited Iraq for the first time since U.S. troops pulled out last year. Dempsey, who is the highest-ranking military officer to visit Iraq since 2011, met with Iraq’s Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and Army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Babaker Zebari. Earlier this week, enemy fighters fired rockets into an American base in Afghanistan and managed to damage Dempsey’s aircraft, which was parked at the facility. Dempsey was safe in his quarters and was never in danger.
General Ham, commander of US Africa Command, has plans to expand the State Partnership Program, which pairs an African nation with a corresponding National Guard unit in the United States.
A contributor to the New York Times is alleging a controversial program created during the Bush Administration has resurfaced at the National Security Agency.
AROUND THE GOVERNMENT
In an unusual arrangement, a senior official of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is receiving his government salary while working full time for the investment bank J.P. Morgan, according to two Republican lawmakers.
The Social Security Administration has awarded $13 million to Affiliated Computer Services. ACS supports efforts to scan Social Security Administration records, and create digital images for transmission.
Reconstruction of the World Trade Center is proceeding on schedule.
Officials from Marine Corps Forces Europe – Africa visited the Joint Multinational Training Center in Hohenfels, Germany.
ON SECRECY — OR LACK THEREOF
CAPT Woolard, USN(RET), on Special Operations OPSEC Education Fund & Special Operations for America: “They have a good point. I wish there was better [operational security], and fewer leaks. But I would prefer that SEALs and other special operators would sit down and shut the hell up.”
ON TECH
The illicit use of technical surveillance platforms is on the rise, especially in the Czech Republic.
CONTRACT WATCH
Lockheed Martin has been awarded a contract worth $64 million to extend the Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) technology development effort for the Army. Lockheed previously developed the Longbow, Javelin and, perhaps the most infamous, the Hellfire. The Hellfire, contrary to popular belief, was originally intended as a tank-killer — not exclusively for use on remotely piloted vehicles and other unmanned aerial systems as commonly portrayed in the media.
The Marine Corps is refurbishing its Sno-Cats at the Mountain Warfare Training Center in Big Bear, California.
An Army Reserve lieutenant colonel and two former Special Forces soldiers were indicted Wednesday in a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme to win military contracts in Afghanistan.
Northrop Grumman’s corporate vice president has sold over 15,000 shares, valued at over $1 million.
