Policy
November threat report reveals ‘Taliban 5’ appointed to terrorist organization’s political office in Qatar
Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, released this week the latest Terror Threat Snapshot, which highlights threats the nation, the West and the world face from ISIS and other Islamist terrorists. The report highlighted that five senior members of the... Read More »
HHS officials reaffirm support for Global Health Security Agenda
Officials from the U.S. Health and Human Services Department attended the Fifth Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) Ministerial Meeting in Indonesia this week to reaffirm U.S. support for the initiative and commit additional funding. GHSA, which launched in 2014, is a worldwide effort to... Read More »
New device aids smuggling vehicle stop
El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Calexico Station recently used a new vehicle immobilization device known as the Grappler to stop a smuggling vehicle. Authorities said the immobilization effort, the first recorded within the United States Border Patrol using the device,... Read More »
CBP expanding its Los Angeles Global Entry Enrollment Center
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently announced it would be expanding and relocating its Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Global Entry Enrollment Center. The center’s improvements will double the number of applicants processed by allowing CBP officers to conduct up to 10... Read More »
Infectious Disease Society of America urges support for Global Health Security Agenda
The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) is asking the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to increase its support of the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA). The GHSA, launched following the West Africa Ebola outbreak in 2013, is focused on pandemic prevention. It helps... Read More »
BMT curriculum changes target readiness, core values
Air Force officials announced recent changes to the Basic Military Training (BMT) curriculum focus on readiness and lethality, Airmanship, fitness, and the warrior ethos. The modifications, which began Sept. 4, will transform trainees into more “combat ready Airmen.” “The future of BMT... Read More »
GAO makes recommendations to DOD on inspections of ammunition storage sites
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) made several recommendations to the Department of Defense on how security inspections of locations that store Security Risk Category (SRC I) ammunition are done in accordance with policy. The DOD maintains stockpiles of SRC I ammunition—which... Read More »
GAO assisting nuclear arsenal budget estimate prep
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is assisting the Departments of Defense and Energy in updating 10-year nuclear arsenal cost estimates and reporting them to Congress. GAO officials said an essential element of the effort involves capturing fundamental programmatic changes in nuclear... Read More »
New technology better detects drones
A camera combined with machine learning is assisting Sandia National Laboratories and the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) create more precise drone detection capability than possible with visuals alone. Acoustic, radio or thermal detection of drones... Read More »
Tyndall AFB to resume missions after Hurricane Michael damage
After a month-long recovery from Hurricane Michael, Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City, Fla., will resume operations with many key missions returning, following a U.S. Air Force announcement made last week. Among the units that will resume operations at Tyndall AFB are the 601st Air Force... Read More »
National Nuclear Security Administration releases annual Stockpile Stewardship, Nuclear Nonproliferation report
The Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) recently released its annual reports outlining its efforts to maintain the U.S. nuclear stockpile and prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. “The Trump Administration’s 2018 Nuclear Posture Review sets a clear... Read More »
Raytheon awarded $191M contract for advanced radars
The Ku-band radio frequency radar (KuRFS) developed by Raytheon is front and center in a new, $191 million contract awarded to them by the U.S. Army. KuRFS has already seen deployment with “sense and warn” capabilities in several areas, from rocket detection to swarming unmanned aircraft... Read More »
Triad National Security takes over management of national laboratory
Triad National Security (Triad) recently began the management and operation of the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico. In June, Triad signed a contract with the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). The contract took effect Thursday and expires... Read More »
DHS unveils virtual training program for critical school safety situations
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) has introduced a new training platform to help teachers, staff, first responders, and local law enforcement prepare for response plans to critical incidents at schools. The virtual training platform is called the... Read More »
Conference addresses chemical terrorism
INTERPOL’s General Secretariat headquarters served as the backdrop for the recent Global Congress on Chemical Security and Emerging Threats conference, which was designed to address chemical terrorism and related factors. “This Congress comes at a pivotal time in the international security... Read More »
Lawmakers seek Saudi nuclear pact talks suspension
In the wake of recent developments in Saudi Arabia, several lawmakers are seeking suspension of civil nuclear cooperation talks with that nation's government. Senate Foreign Relations Committee member Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-MA) has forwarded correspondence to President Donald Trump requesting... Read More »
New FirstNet board members appointed
The Board of the First Responder Network Authority gained six new members this week, appointed by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. Its newest members include Richard Carrizzo, chief of the Southern Platte Fire Protection District in Kansas City, Missouri; Welton Chase, former General... Read More »
Chagas disease threatens US service dogs
Researchers have found dogs working for the U.S. government are at an increased risk of Chagas disease, and the associated parasite is riddling them with heart disease. At one time found only in Mexico, Central America and South America, Chagas has begun pressing forward into the United States,... Read More »
Man Charged with Federal Hate Crimes for Pittsburgh Synagogue Murders
The man charged with murdering 11 people at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh last Saturday was indicted on 44 counts, including hate crimes, by a grand jury in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. Robert Bowers, 46, of Baldwin, Pa., was indicted on 44-counts,... Read More »
Groups address nuclear waste, fuel disposal
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently met with waste management personnel to discuss safe, efficient disposal of high level radioactive waste (HLW) and spent nuclear fuel. The session at the IAEA in Vienna included a delegation from the International Association for... Read More »
Payan named Chief Patrol Agent for Buffalo Sector in New York
Eduardo Payan, a 31-year veteran of the U.S. Border Patrol, was recently appointed as Chief Patrol Agent for Border Patrol’s Buffalo Sector, the regional water border between ports of entry in New York and Pennsylvania. Payan was appointed by U.S. Border Patrol Chief Carla Provost, following... Read More »
Lockheed Martin presses forward on laser-based missile interception system
Defense contractor Lockheed Martin is proceeding with a Missile Defense Agency contract to develop a Low Power Laser Demonstrator (LPLD) missile interceptor, which utilizes a laser and beam control system to intercept hostile missiles. Under the contract, Lockheed Martin will improve and mature... Read More »
DHS hosts international first responders conference
The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) recently hosted the first North American International Forum to Advance First Responder Innovation (IFAFRI) Industry Stakeholder Summit. IFAFRI’s goal is to advance the development of innovative yet... Read More »
Air Force leadership discusses trends, changes at symposium
Top Air Force leadership convened last week in Grapevine, Texas, to discuss critical issues and upcoming changes within the Air Force at the 50th annual Airlift/Tanker Association Symposium. “We have returned to an era of great power competition where the challenges we face are complex and... Read More »
Justice Department launches new hate crimes site, updates related prosecutions
In response to a series of violent hate crimes throughout the United States this year, the U.S. Department of Justice has updated its prosecution efforts and launched a new website to serve as a centralized port of resources for handling them. These resources include training materials,... Read More »
Florida delegation urges repairs of Air Force base damaged by Hurricane Michael
Florida’s members of Congress recently sent a letter to Defense Secretary Jim Mattis urging the government to provide funding and support for the repair of Tyndall Air Force Base that was damaged by Hurricane Michael. Tyndall is where airmen train to fly the F-22 Raptor, and it is home base... Read More »
Speaker Ryan appoints three to cyberspace commission
Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI), Samantha Ravich, and Frank Cilluffo were appointed this week by House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) to the Cyberspace Solarium Commission. The commission was established by the National Defense Authorization Act to develop a framework for U.S. cybersecurity... Read More »
OPCW aligns with UN peace, security initiatives
Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) member states said they are working in concert with the United Nations (UN) to achieve international peace and security through economic and technological development. OPCW officials said during the recently conducted third edition of... Read More »Facial comparison biometric tech at Port of San Luis leads to arrest
For the third time this month, a person attempting to cross the U.S.-Mexican border at the Port of San Luis was arrested by U.S. Customs and Border Protection after they were discovered to be an imposter by facial biometric technology. The technology helps agents detect impersonators more... Read More »
Strike force to target violence, drugs in Cleveland
A new Cleveland Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Strike Force will target violent crime and drug trafficking in the city. The force, scheduled to be operational by mid-2019, will be comprised of more than 200 local police, federal agents and prosecutors. Participating groups include... Read More »
DHS workshop looks at the future of airport security
Attendees of the second annual Aviation Security Futures Workshop held in Reston, Va., addressed the central question of what airport security screening will look like in 20 years. The workshop -- hosted by the Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate Apex Screening... Read More »
Royal Australian Air Force completing aircraft upgrade
The Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) effort to place its Hawk Mk127 fleet among the most advanced in the world is nearing completion, with an assist from BAE Systems Australia. BAE Systems Australia has inducted the final aircraft into its Williamtown maintenance facility as part of the... Read More »
Armed rebellion impedes Democratic Republic of the Congo’s response to Ebola outbreak
Continued attacks by rebels in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is keeping health officials from combatting the spread of an Ebola outbreak in the affected areas. With support from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Ministry of Health has been trying to contain the outbreak, which is... Read More »
Swanton Sector appoints new chief patrol agent
Robert Garcia recently was appointed chief patrol agent for the U.S. Border Patrol Swanton Sector along the U.S.-Canada border. Garcia replaces Chief John C. Pfeifer who retired. “It is a privilege to serve as the chief of Swanton Sector and to work alongside the dedicated and hardworking... Read More »