Is any of the below related:
Anti_Illuminati:
http://www.dodbuzz.com/2009/04/01/blair-gates-ok-multi-billion-secret-sats/
Blair, Gates OK Multi-Billion Secret Sats
By Colin Clark Wednesday, April 1st, 2009 10:17 am
Posted in Intelligence, Policy, Space
UPDATED: With Confirmation, Explanation by DNI spokeswoman
DNI spokeswoman Vanee Vines confirmed April 2 that the DNI and Defense Secretary approved the “next generation electro-optical satellites.” Vines said the decision was “based on the results of multiple panels and studies conducted over the last several years…” She said the DNI was “working to ensure we can continue to provide deep insights” into world events for the president and military forces, a clear reference to the possibility of a gap in the American eletroc-optical constellation. Vines would not discuss the costs or schedule of the proposed satellite system.
President Barack Obama is expected to approve a new constellation of highly classified multi-billion dollar spy satellites in the next few days, injecting a major new expenditure into the Defense Department budget that was not planned when the administration began its budget deliberations.
The debate between the intelligence community and the military over this system has been particularly sharp. In the words of one Hill source familiar with the issue. “A deep path has been worn between the Pentagon and the White House on this one,” the source said.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair signed a classified memo approving the program on March 30, according to two sources familiar with the program. Details of the program are highly classified. A DNI spokesman had not responded by the time we posted this story but may provide details later.
However, we have obtained a few details in the meantime.
The system may cost $3.5 billion to get started, if earlier estimates are accurate. It may cost up to $10 billion, over the next five years depending on which technical approach was approved and on how many satellites will be built.
The Hill source said that the DNI and Pentagon would have great trouble paying for the system. “I don’t think they can come up with enough to pay for two-plus-two,” the source said, refusing to add any details.
This is what led to the decision to approve the new system. Blair commissioned a group, led by Paul Kaminski, former undersecretary of Defense for acquisition and technology, to tell him whether the US faces a capabilities gap as aging satellites die and the US continues to fail to put new ones into orbit. While there is vigorous disagreement within Congress, DoD and the intelligence community as to whether there really be a gap that needs to be filled, the official consensus seems to be that the country cannot afford the risk.
Kaminski and his panel, “basically said, we want everything, a robust constellation,” according to one source familiar with the discussions. In the coded language that the intelligence community uses dealing with people who aren’t cleared, this means that Blair is pushing an “exquisite” solution. And that means it’s a really technologically advanced satellite with big and expensive optics able to deliver the rarest and finest strategic intelligence to the president. “We are asking for the Rolex,” said our source. This source does not believe the country needs what the DNI wants: “We are chasing what we want, rather than what we need.”
A former government official with experience of space programs was sharply critical of the DNI’s approach: “The panel recommendations appear to be another triumph of over-the-top programs that seek performance beyond reasonable need. The costs are astronomical in terms of dollars, risk, and missed opportunities. Though I highly respect the panel members, at some point we should ask ourselves whether it’s wise to rely exclusively on ‘greybeards’ when considering the kind of changes required in this post-Cold War era.
All this echoes comments made recently by Marine Gen. James Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, that the country does not need exquisite systems and Cartwright is a major player in the debate about what electro-optical satellites need building. For example, he was present when Gates was briefed.
The Pentagon and DNI will pull money from across all of DoD and the intelligence community. Pentagon funding will not come from the space budget (black or white).
There may be one big flaw in the plan currently being considered: it completely ignores US policy that requires the government use commercial data whenever possible. A senior Defense Department official said the current constellation would not include any commercial satellites or any money to buy commercial data from the two American companies that have satellites in orbit.
DoDBuzz readers have known about this effort from the beginning when we broke the story about the failed effort by the last DNI, Mike McConnell, to try and stuff $3.5 billion into the recently passed financial rescue supplemental. The money would have gone to build at least one of these satellites. Some $300 million of it would have gone to buy commercial data on the side.
In the latest effort, Kaminski and his panel of so-called greybeards have briefed Blair and Gates. Kaminski spoke two weeks ago with the tiny coterie of Hill aides who determine intelligence spending and policy. Apparently, he told them little beyond how the process worked and the broad outlines of his plan. But the Hill aides, who have been very frustrated with the slow pace and uncertain course of both the Pentagon and intelligence community on the electro-optical constellation, reportedly told Kaminski they will support the way ahead as long as somebody actually takes a decision and does something.
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“This is trying to revive the B.A.S.I.C. program. The issue is that it will kill companies that rely on the promise of imagery sales. The prospects for GEOEYE and DIGITALGLOBE will die and two more companies will go by the wayside.
Kind of goes hand in hand with he new administrations plans to take over companies, fire CEO’s and now kill companies.
Do we really need it? NO, but we really want it.”
Anti_Illuminati:
http://www.defensetech.org/archives/cat_cyberwarfare.html
Resignations at the Top of the Cyber Sec Ranks
Mischel Kwon has resigned as director of the U.S. Computer Emergency Response Team in the Department of Homeland Security. She was the fourth U.S. CERT director in five years.
It is believed she will remain in authority until September 2nd of this year. This comes at a particularly interesting time. The same day she resigned, Phil Reitinger, the director of the National Cyber Security Center at DHS, said in a statement that the administration “has made cyber security a top priority.” One article stated that Kwon had become frustrated by bureaucratic obstacles and a lack of authority to fulfill her mission.
Kwon’s resignation follows that of Rod Beckstrom who resigned back in March.
[INSERT: Resigned Cybersecurity “chief” to be used as scapegoat for 2009 false flag?
Kissinger/Brzezinski [CSIS], 4-star Generals [NCOIC] taking over Internet
http://forum.prisonplanet.com/index.php?topic=91406.msg529346#msg529346
He claimed the lack of support inside the agency and what he described as a power grab by the National Security Agency were the reasons for his departure.
Earlier this week Melissa Hathaway, who was regarded as one of the top cyber advisor to the White House recently resigned as well. So why did she resign? Good question and a question that Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), a senior ranking member on the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, wants answered. Collins has requested that her staff members interview Hathaway regarding why she is leaving. Hathaway would only site personal reasons for her resignation which is effective August 24th.
That being said Hathaway reportedly noted in her comments that it has been two months since President Obama made a highly publicized speech stating the importance of cyber security. Hathaway has been quoted as saying “I wasn’t willing to continue to wait any longer, because I’m not empowered right now to continue to drive the change.”
These resignations highlight a much larger problem, it shows the inability of the federal government to hire and retain qualified cyber security leaders. Two months after President Obama pledged to “personally” select someone to be the White House’s cyber security coordinator (AKA Cyber Czar), the position remains unfilled. He said that it was time the country had one official to coordinate against likely future attacks on the nation’s technological infrastructure. One report by Government Info Security says that about 30 people have been considered for the job and yet the position remains unfilled.
Why not takers? What do they know that we don’t? The nation’s security is actually at risk and not having a cyber czar doesn’t help. The continued churn has other concerning implications that point to a much bigger issue.
— Kevin Coleman
August 10, 2009 06:32 AM | Cyber-warfare
Anti_Illuminati:
Originally posted by Catalina (moved to this thread).
Navy Removes Top Nuke Weapons Officer
http://www.military.com/news/article/navy-removes-top-nuke-weapons-officer.html
BANGOR, Wash. - The Navy dismissed the commanding officer of a Washington state-based nuclear weapons facility Friday, citing a loss of confidence in his ability to lead, the Pentagon said.
Capt. Timothy J. Block, who headed the Navy’s Bangor operation arming Trident submarines with nuclear warheads, was relieved of duty on by Rear Adm. Stephen E. Johnson, the Navy’s director of strategic systems programs, according to the Kitsap Sun.
A Navy spokesman told The Associated Press that no single incident led to Block’s removal. The spokesman would only comment anonymously because he felt he should not pre-empt his supervisor.
Pentagon spokesman Cmdr. J.A. “Cappy” Surette told the newspaper that public safety was not jeopardized and that no “specific issue” was involved.
Washington state’s Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor is home to nuclear submarines, ships and laboratories. The facility also assembles and stores nuclear weapons before outfitting the subs.
Block was about a year into a three-year stint. Surette says the captain has been reassigned but his next station has not been determined.
Navy Capt. Kevin Zumbar, deputy director of strategic systems programs based in the Washington, D.C., area, will take over command until a replacement is found.
Block is the second facility commander in recent years to be relieved of duty for “a loss of confidence.” Capt. Keith Lyles was dismissed after failing a nuclear weapons inspection om 2003.
Now this.
Minot Air Force Base 69th Bomb Squadron Soon Activated
http://www.kxmb.com/News/428622.asp
After months of anticipation and preparation, the Minot Air Force Base is ready to officially activate its newly formed 69th Bomb Squadron. The new unit will be the fourth operational B-52 squadron in the Air Force.
The Minot base is home to the 23rd Bomb Squadron and Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana has two operational B-52 units.
Colonel Julian Tolbert says this is a great milestone for the base, and they will be receiving additional personnel and aircrafts in order to complete this mission. While some members of the new squadron are already in town, Colonel Tolbert says the base is preparing to accomodate the remainder of the arrivals, which will be staggered over the next 8 to 12 months.
(Col. Julian Tolbert / MAFB) “We have been building new some facility for the new bomb squadron, we have been increasing our capacity to have additional flights and to house additional personnel as they arrive at Minot Air Force Base.”
The 69th Bomb Squadron activation ceremony is set to take place this Thursday at the Base.
The new squadron will include about 800 new personnel. Video http://www.kxmb.com/video.asp?ArticleId=428622&VideoId=30398
While I am sure some of this is Obama trying to put loyalists into power, let us not lose sight of the fact that there were several major snafus with regard to our nuclear arsenal that took place later in the Bush Administration.
Some of these changes may be a result of the investigation that took place into those incidents.
Speaking of Gen. Cartwright :
‘Obama’s Favorite General’ Stripped Of Security Clearance Amid Leak Investigation
9/25/2013, 1:36:28 PM · by Nachum · 41 replies
Business Insider ^ | 9/24/13 | Paul Szoldra
Retired Marine Gen. James “Hoss” Cartwright has reportedly lost his security clearance as an investigation into his involvement in national security leaks continues, Foreign Policy reports. Cartwright, a retired four-star general who served for 40 years and last served on the Joint Chiefs, has been the subject of an ongoing investigation into an alleged leak of classified information of the “Stuxnet” virus that targeted and temporarily disabled Iran’s nuclear facilities in 2010. The general’s legal team has called that assertion “preposterous.” Gordon Lubold of FP reports that multiple current and former administration sources said Cartwright lost his clearance earlier this...