ON THE FIGHT
In light of recent developments in Libya, Marines forward-deployed in Spain are standing ready to execute a non-combatant evacuation, or NEO, of all US personnel in Tripoli.
Meanwhile, the State Department has issued a new travel warning for Libya, and is ordering personnel to leave Tripoli for security risks.
ON THE FORCE
The King and Queen of Scotland visited the Pentagon yesterday.
The military’s Osprey’s–both the Air Force and Marine Corps variants–are seeing increased use in Afghanistan as the so-called retrograde, or withdrawal, operations continue at a rapid pace.
Rear Admiral Terry Kraft will be assigned as commander, US Naval Forces, Japan/commander, Navy Region Japan. Admiral Kraft is currently serving as commander, Navy Warfare Development Command, the Navy’s personal in-house thinktank. Rear Admiral Willie Metts will be assigned as director for intelligence, J2, U.S. Pacific Command. Metts is currently serving as deputy chief, tailored access operations, S32, National Security Agency, at historic Fort Meade.
The leader of US Special Operations Command, Admiral William McRaven, visited the Naval War College earlier this week to discuss his Special Operations Forces 2020 strategy.
POTOMAC TWO-STEP
Veteran political commentator Peggy Noonan is weighing in on the Benghazi scandal with the assertion that the military could have done more to safeguard US personnel in the embattled country.
ON TECH
An ambitious group of college students have successfully flown and landed a concrete plane for the first time.
Wired’s Danger Room has images of what may be the first images of China’s remotely piloted aircraft.
ON SECRECY – OR LACK THEREOF
A top scientist at the military’s research facility located in Alaska has been hit with fraud charges after misusing government funds and resources and possibly violating the security procedures in place to prevent unauthorized disclosures–leaks.
CONTRACT WATCH
Buckley Air Force Base, a sprawling complex that also houses components of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, is looking for contractors to provide dental services at the secretive Air Force installation.
The Air Force’s 705th Combat Training Squadron, located in N. Mex., is looking for “[Contractors to provide] operational, technical, and analytical expertise for the execution of Distributed Mission Operations Center (DMOC).”
Exelis is “being awarded a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract with a maximum value of $127,150,517 for the operation, maintenance and defense of Army communications in Southwest Asia and Central Asia.”
The Department of State is in the market for snazzy new law enforcement badges, ostensibly for their Diplomatic Security and Office of Inspector General personnel (among others).
