FROM THE DESK OF CLEARANCEJOBS.COM

Cyber-staffing challenges. Contributor Charles Simmins reports, “The recruitment and retention of skilled personnel for the federal cybersecurity workforce has been an issue for many years. Congress and the Executive Branch have tried to address issues several times. This piecemeal approach may have confused the situation as much as helped it, according to the Congressional Research Service. . . .”

Hot jobs for 2016. Contributor David Brown reports, “When government and industry stumble over something they like, overnight, it seems, they hire veritable—and sometimes literal—armies to turn plans into action. That’s as true in 2016 as it was in 2015. Here are the six hottest defense jobs this year that didn’t exist last year (or at least, weren’t very common). . . .” See also, “Tech jobs with the highest salaries.”

THE FORCE AND THE FIGHT

China sanctions N. Korea. Washington Post’s Carol Morello and Simon Denyer report, “Secretary of State John F. Kerry and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi agreed Wednesday that North Korea deserves fresh sanctions after its latest nuclear test, but appeared as far apart as ever on how far to push Pyongyang. After Kerry and Wang talked for almost five hours, a session that continued over lunch, the two diplomats appeared before reporters with tension written across their faces.”

Iranian outreach. AP’s Nicole Winfield reports, “Iranian President Hassan Rouhani invited American businessmen to join their European counterparts in investing in Iran as he wrapped up three days of multi-billion dollar deal-making in Italy by saying the lifting of European sanctions had opened a new era of ‘win-win’ collaboration.”

CONTRACT WATCH

Lockheed with Leidos. Reuters’ Andrea Shalal reports, “Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N) on Tuesday announced a $5 billion tax-free deal to combine its information systems and government services business with Leidos Holdings Inc (LDOS.N), and forecast a lower-than-expected profit in 2016. Lockheed’s shares fell as much as 5 percent amid confusion over future prospects for the Pentagon’s No. 1 supplier, although the stock recovered after Lockheed officials reassured analysts they still expected rising sales and earnings in coming years.”

The Altay: Turkey’s tank. Defense News’ Burak Ege Bekdil reports, “The Turkish company that designed and produced prototypes for what will become Turkey’s first indigenous new generation battle tank, the Altay, said it submitted a bid to the Ankara government for the tank’s serial production. . . . Otokar’s bid involves the production of an initial batch of 250 tanks and integrated logistical support for the program.”

New bistatic radar and sonar.  Military & Aerospace Electronics Editor John Keller reports, “Two surveillance technologies that have been in common use for more than half a century — radio detection and ranging (radar) and sound navigation and ranging (sonar) — may undergo substantial enhancements with the addition of remote transmitters. These offboard transmitters could create a new generation of bistatic radar and sonar that not only could enhance the performance of these systems, but also could preserve the stealthiness of weapons platforms like jet fighter aircraft and fast attack submarines.”

TECH, PRIVACY, & SECRECY

NSA IAD troubles.  FCW’s Sean Lyngaas reports, “The National Security Agency is at a crossroads, and the key to its compass is the agency’s Information Assurance Directorate. . . . IAD’s mission of protecting sensitive information on national security systems is more important than ever. There are not enough hours in the day and, some say, not enough hands on deck at IAD to deal with the incessant stream of vulnerabilities surfacing on government and private-sector networks.”

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Ed Ledford enjoys the most challenging, complex, and high stakes communications requirements. His portfolio includes everything from policy and strategy to poetry. A native of Asheville, N.C., and retired Army Aviator, Ed’s currently writing speeches in D.C. and working other writing projects from his office in Rockville, MD. He loves baseball and enjoys hiking, camping, and exploring anything. Follow Ed on Twitter @ECLedford.