Policy
FirstNet proves successful in rural Virginian search and rescue exercise
The capabilities of first responder network FirstNet were proven in a recent exercise in a remote part of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, where the network was relied on for emergency communications during a search and rescue exercise. FirstNet cooperated with the Virginia Communications Cache,... Read More »
Stakeholders commend approval by Congress of pandemic preparedness, response bill
The Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense, the Alliance for Biosecurity, and the Trust for America’s Health on Wednesday applauded the overdue reauthorization of the nation’s all-hazards preparedness and response law addressing public health threats, whether naturally occurring or... Read More »
Ten cities join Public Safety Partnership initiative
Attorney General William P. Barr recently noted 10 cities have joined the new National Public Safety Partnership (PSP), which officials said is designed to reduce violent crime. “The Public Safety Partnership is a successful program that directs federal law enforcement resources to the cities... Read More »
Raytheon lands small business mentoring contract
Raytheon Company recently secured a two-year contract for the Air Force Mentor Protégé program to aid Infinity Technology Services (ITS) in bolstering its cybersecurity services outlay. “Encouraging small business is a good thing for the government, as well as Raytheon, and ITS brings a... Read More »
CBP ROAM App expands reach in Michigan, Minnesota
The Reporting Offside Arrival-Mobile (ROAM) application, used by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Field Operations to report small boats, has expanded its capabilities to new sites in Michigan and Minnesota. In Michigan, the app now reaches four sites in the Sault Ste. Marie area: the... Read More »
Sen. Cassidy warns administration about security concerns related to Chinese wearbale devices
U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) is urging Trump Administration officials to address potential security concerns related to China using wearable technology products to catalog American’s personal data. “Chinese smartwatches and other devices can stockpile data about a user’s health, finances,... Read More »
Pandemic and all-hazards preparedness, response bill heads to Trump following House approval
The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday approved the bipartisan Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing (PAHPA) Innovation Act of 2019, which now heads to President Donald Trump’s desk for his signature to make it law. S. 1379, sponsored by U.S. Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) on May... Read More »
DIA chief addresses Russian, Chinese nuclear capabilities
Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) Director Lt. Gen. Robert P. Ashley Jr. took advantage of a recent speaking engagement to lend insight regarding Russia’s and China’s nuclear weapons capabilities and modernization. Ashley shared the information while addressing the Hudson Institute in... Read More »
Bill addresses Russia, Ukraine interaction
Reps. Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Eliot Engel (D-NY) recently introduced legislation designed to enhance U.S.- Ukraine cooperation and address effective deterrence from Russian aggression. The U.S.-Ukraine Security Cooperation Enhancement Act provides specific lethal military assistance including... Read More »
FAA, Air Force address aircrew shortage
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the U.S. Air Force recently collaborated to address the national aircrew shortage. The partners will work to reduce barriers for entering the pilot career field, increase the number of pilots, leverage technology to improve pilot training to meet the... Read More »
DHS enters cooperative agreement with Guatemala to counter human migration
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan signed last week a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) with the Guatemalan Ministry of Government to address factors driving irregular migration from Guatemala and combat human smuggling. The MOC is an agreement between the Department of Homeland... Read More »
Operation yields fentanyl dealer indictments
Department of Justice authorities are crediting Operation Dark Gold, the first nationwide undercover operation targeting darknet vendors, with yielding a series of illegal drug dealing indictments. Authorities said Sean Shaughnessy, 51, of Dallas Fort Worth, Texas, was charged by a federal... Read More »
Bipartisan legislation introduced to protect research from foreign espionage
A bipartisan group of U.S. representatives recently introduced legislation that addresses academic espionage at institutions of higher education. The bipartisan Securing American Science and Technology Act of 2019 would standardize how federal agencies deal with academic espionage. “There... Read More »
US Air Force gains narrowband satellite communications responsibility
Air Force and Navy personnel have announced the transfer of responsibility for future narrowband satellite communications, which officials said develops an integrated space enterprise architecture. Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson and Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer recently... Read More »
TSA changing performance management systems
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently changed its performance management systems for uniformed TSA officers to improve how performance is measured and recognized as well as to simplify the process. The changes were based on feedback from transportation security officer... Read More »
CBP adds new administrative post to support border patrol agents
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel said the newly created Border Patrol Processing Coordinator position would prove valuable in freeing agents for critical law enforcement operations. “I am committed to providing the men and women of the U.S. Border Patrol the resources they need to... Read More »
DHS to form security subcommittee for religious institutions
Acting Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kevin McAleenan recently announced DHS has created a Homeland Security Advisory Council subcommittee to focus on threats faced by religious institutions and places of worship. The subcommittee will be comprised of academics, emergency and... Read More »
Boeing subsidiary wins weapon planning software contract
Tapestry Solutions, a subsidiary of Boeing, got a 10-year contract from the U.S. Air Force to provide weapon planning software (WPS) for the U.S. military and allied forces. The software is designed to help military officials plan missions, including routes, threats, and points for weapons... Read More »
Legislation seeks to defend Taiwan from increased Chinese pressure
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) joined Sens. Cory Gardner (R-CO), Chris Coons (D-DE) and John Cornyn (R-TX) recently reintroduced The Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI) Act, which is designed to strengthen Taiwan’s world standing in response to increased Chinese... Read More »
Amendment banning firefighting chemical advances Senate Armed Services Committee
The U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee has advanced a legislative amendment prohibiting the Department of Defense from procuring firefighting foam containing per and polyfluoralkyl substances (PFAS). The revision served as part of the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal... Read More »
CBP makes three narcotics seizures prior to holiday weekend
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers made three narcotics seizures last week. The first seizure occurred May 20 at the Calexico East port of entry between Calexico, Calif., and Mexicali, Mexico. A canine team detected 64 pounds of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of... Read More »
House Oversight Committee debates need for regulations on facial recognition technology
The House Committee on Oversight and Reform held a hearing last week that examined the use of facial recognition technology and the need for oversight on how it is used on the public. Facial recognition technology – which analyzes faces to identify individuals -- is growing in use by the... Read More »
US, Mexican authorities dismantle illicit scouting network
Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents recently joined Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel and Mexico’s Federal Police Force to thwart an illicit scouting network on the border. The four-day operation yielded the seizure of more than 250 pounds of narcotics, assault weapons, and... Read More »
Senators concerned over TSA diverting funds to southern border
Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) recently sent a letter to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials expressing concern over a plan to divert personnel to the nation’s southern border. The TSA plans to divert 40 air marshals to the southern border to work with... Read More »
NDAA includes two projects to upgrade Fort Drum in New York
The fiscal year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which was approved out of the Senate Armed Services Committee, authorizes full funding for two projects at the Fort Drum military base in Upstate New York. The NDAA includes funding for a new railhead and a new Unmanned Aerial... Read More »
California man indicted for planning to bomb rally
A California federal grand jury indicted Wednesday Mark Steven Domingo for planning to bomb a rally in Long Beach in late April. The former U.S. Army infantryman was charged with providing material support to terrorists and attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction. Domingo expressed in... Read More »
Hearing examines animal pest disease prevention, response
The House Agriculture Livestock and Foreign Agriculture Subcommittee recently conducted a hearing to examine animal pest disease prevention and response, determining U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Congressional coordination is needed. “The livestock industry faces pest and disease... Read More »
Bill addresses effort to combat Valley Fever
A group of lawmakers introduced this week legislation designed to address the short-term, medium-term, and long-term challenges to detecting, treating, and eventually eliminating Valley Fever. Valley Fever, also known as coccidioidomycosis, is an infection caused by the fungus Coccidioides and... Read More »
GAO finds already overdue GPS upgrade likely to be delayed further
In an assessment of the Global Positioning System (GPS) and a planned Defense Department upgrade to a new system known as OCX, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) found efforts will most likely continue to be delayed. The upgrade has already faced around five years of delays, but... Read More »
House bill would help prevent outbreaks of measles, other contagious diseases
Legislation that would increase immunization rates across the country to prevent future outbreaks of contagious diseases was introduced in Congress this week. The Vaccine Awareness Campaign to Champion Immunization Nationally and Enhance Safety (VACCINES) Act will give the Center for Disease... Read More »
CDC develops education module for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently created an education module to help clinicians recognize the early signs of and diagnose Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF). The bite of an infected tick spreads RMSF. Symptoms include headache, fever, and sometimes a rash.... Read More »
Bill seeks to aid Afghan allies
Rep. Will Hurd (R-TX) recently joined a group of House colleagues in introducing the Afghan Allies Protection Act, which officials said demonstrates support for the thousands Afghan and Iraqi allies. Since 2002, the government has employed thousands of Afghan and Iraqi allies to serve alongside... Read More »
Measure seeks to address potential Iran conflict
A group of lawmakers recently supported a bill designed to prohibit expending funds which could lead to war with Iran without express approval from Congress. Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) has joined Sens. Tom Udall (D-NM) and Rand Paul (R-KY) as well as several other colleagues in advocating for the... Read More »
Test flight conducted on military rescue helicopter
Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Co., recently conducted a test flight of its HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopter in West Palm Beach, Fla. The aircraft is based on the UH-60M Black Hawk and is customized for U.S. Air Force rescue missions. The U.S. Air Force plans to replace its HH-60G Pave Hawk... Read More »