THREATWATCH
The U.S. Embassy in Bangkok is under increased scrutiny after threats to bomb it in connection to COBRA GOLD, a multinational military exercise in the Pacific.
The topic was remote warfare and its human cost. In a panel discussion with fellow Fox News contributor and Daily Beast columnist Kirsten Powers, Lowry appeared to place a great deal of trust in the aim of the Central Intelligence Agency, declaring that if Yemenis don’t want to be killed, “Yemenis should not ride in cars with al Qaeda operatives”.
ON THE FORCE
The Defense Intelligence Agency has begun hiring human intelligence collectors for duty in Tampa, but has yet to explain why.
Learn about U.S. Air Force Central Command’s fly-away security teams, or FAST. The FAST program was established in 2007 and is designed to provide discreet, low-visibility, fly-away security for additional protection when needed aboard aircraft transiting the AFCENT theater of operations. Once tasked for deployment as a FAST member, security forces airmen attend specialized training to become FAST certified through the Regional Training Center at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.
Planning has already begun for the 2014 installment of the Africa Partnership Station, where the Navy and Marine Corps work in concert with African governments to build capacity.
“The Air Force stood up the Air Force Special Operations Air Warfare Center and hosted an assumption of command ceremony at Duke Field, Fla., Feb. 11. During the ceremony, Brig. Gen. Jon Weeks assumed command of AFSOAWC, which is headquartered at Hurlburt Field, Fla. with operating locations at Duke Field and Robins Air Force Base, Ga. The ceremony was held at Duke Field to emphasize AFSOAWC’s total force partnership between active-duty members and reservists. “The Air Force Special Operations Command partnered with the 919th Special Operations Wing to help execute aviation for internal defense missions and build partnership capacity,” said Col. Jonathan Duncan, AFSOAWC deputy commander.”
ON SECRECY – OR LACK THEREOF
John Brennan, the President’s pick for CIA director, thinks that maybe it’s time to revisit the classification system.
CONTRACT WATCH
SAIC has won a prime position on a potential five-year $263 million contract with the Army, and will prototype and insert C4ISR technologies — command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
J.D. Crouch, a former Assistant to the president and Deputy National Security Advisor, is the new CEO of Qinetiq North America.
Robert Caruso is a veteran of the United States Navy, and has worked for the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, Business Transformation Agency and the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
