LOCATIONS
LAND
10 May 24. BCB International Ltd have won a UK Government grant that will allow the implementation of the FireDragon Fuel for Ukraine (FFU) project. Funds will introduce FireDragon to the following target markets.
- The Ukrainian Military – FireDragon was employed by the British MoD in 2014 following reports that hexamine was damaging frontline soldiers’ health. The project aims to distribute our clean cooking fuel to the Ukrainian military to ensure frontline soldiers have access to a high performing, clean cooking fuel.
- The internally displaced – Ukraine contains 3.7 million displaced people; many have resorted to using traditional fuels for cooking. Increasing costs of firewood is forcing many to explore forests which are littered with unexploded mines. The project will work with NGO’s to ensure our clean cooking fuel is made available to those who have been displaced by the War.
- Ukrainian households – Nationwide blackouts are extremely common, It is imperative that a safe to use clean cooking fuel is available in times of blackout.
Funds will be used to coordinate market research and to set up a solidified ethanol factory in Ukraine. The project is concerned with helping the most vulnerable in Ukraine, therefore fuel affordability and social inclusivity is at the heart of the project.
Andrew Howell Managing Director of BCB International said:
““ BCB International are delighted to be setting up a factory to manufacture our Fire Dragon eco solid fuel in Ukraine. We will be proud to be supporting and helping not just the Ukrainian armed forces in the front line, but also the civilian population, when the power infrastructure is damaged.”
09 May 24. Corvus Technology Solutions has opened an office in the Republic of Korea to support the Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) program. Corvus is in final negotiations with Australian company, Hanwha Defence Australia, a subsidiary to South Korean company, Hanwha Aerospace Systems, to manufacture in Australia nearly 2,000 suspension units for the Australian Army’s Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle. This contract will make Corvus Technology Solutions one of the top suppliers to Hanwha Defence Australia on the Redback project. The suspension units, 14 of which are on each Redback vehicle, improve ride, comfort and manoeuvrability in the field. They also provide better under vehicle blast resistance and vehicle survivability than other designs by avoiding the use of torsion bars. The new office, officially opened on 5 March, will oversee the technology transfer from South Korea to Bayswater in Victoria where the work will take place, in a move likely to create around 40 technical jobs over the life of the project. (Source: Google/ADM)
06 May 24. Hanwha Phasor, a UK-based satellite communications business, today announced that following a successful four years in the UK, it has opened its first office in the United States. The initial focus of the business will be on developing its market position in the US which presents a wider potential for the portfolio of user terminals. The office, located in Virginia, will serve as the primary base for the Hanwha Phasor employees based in the US, including the Vice President Business Development Mike Young, the recently joined Business Development Director, Rick LePage, and the new Commercial Director Aviation, Scott McCobb. Alongside the new US office, Hanwha Phasor has two office locations in the UK. These include the business’ international headquarters in London as well as the ASICs Centre of Excellence in Cambridge. Recent contract signings with Lufthansa Technik and OneWeb have demonstrated that there is strong interest in Hanwha Phasor’s range of satellite communication products. The business’ unveiling of its land user terminal, the Phasor L3300B, at Satellite 2024, in Washington DC, generated significant interest in a land-based electronically steered antenna which has a strong use case for both the military and emergency services. The A7700 user terminal designed for use in aviation, which will transform satellite-based communications and connectivity for aircraft, is due to be released in mid-2025.
MARITIME
09 May 24. USNS Earl Warren delivered. MSC welcomes the arrival of USNS Earl Warren. US Military Sealift Command (MSC) received the delivery of its latest fleet replenishment oiler, USNS Earl Warren (T-AO 207), from shipbuilder General Dynamics NASSCO.
This addition marks another step forward in maritime logistics support and commemorates the legacy of a figure in American history.
With a length of 746 feet, the vessel, named in honour of Earl Warren, symbolises maritime advancement and a tribute to a figure in American jurisprudence.
In other oiler developments in recent years, the US Navy celebrated the delivery of the USNS Harvey Milk (T-AO 206), the second vessel of the John Lewis-class fleet replenishment oilers, which enhances at-sea operations with improved fuel supply capabilities. Construction commenced for the USNS Lucy Stone (T-AO 209), named after the suffragist.
The future USNS Thurgood Marshall (T-AO 211) was also named to honour the civil rights activist and former Supreme Court Justice. These vessels, designed by General Dynamics NASSCO, signify advancements in the Navy’s Combat Logistics Force. They will provide vital fuel replenishment capacity at sea and reinforce the fuel delivery system for the US Navy’s operations worldwide.
This class has forthcoming vessels named after luminaries such as Robert F. Kennedy and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
General Dynamics NASSCO, the shipbuilder behind the USNS Earl Warren, continues to deliver vessels that enhance maritime capabilities.
According to GlobalData’s report on “The Global Naval Vessels and Surface Combatants Market 2023-2033“, General Dynamics is the third leading supplier of naval vessels and surface combatants in North America; it is set to hold a 5.6% share of the North American market over 2023–33.
As MSC marks its 75th anniversary in 2024, the addition of USNS Earl Warren shows its dedication to supporting the joint warfighter across military operations. With a workforce comprising thousands of dedicated personnel, MSC’s mission is to ensure operational readiness and logistical support for the US Navy and deployed forces worldwide. (Source: naval-technology.com)
09 May 24. US ship USNS Robert E. Simanek christened in ceremony. General Dynamics NASSCO and MSC unveiled the seventh Expeditionary Sea Base. The USNS Robert E. Simanek, the latest addition to the US Navy’s Expeditionary Sea Base programme, was christened at the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego in a ceremony attended by dignitaries and military officials. The USNS Robert E. Simanek (ESB-7) was also a tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of Private 1st Class Robert E. Simanek, a hero of the Korean War. Representatives from General Dynamics NASSCO and the Military Sealift Command (MSC) joined forces to unveil the seventh vessel in the Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) programme. The event drew a distinguished gathering, including political figures, military leaders, and members of the Simanek family, all united in honouring the ship’s namesake.
The daughter of the late hero, Ann Simanek Clark, bestowed the traditional christening honour upon the vessel.
Construction on the USNS Robert E. Simanek started in December 2021, and the keel was authenticated just short of a year later, in October 2022. These 784-foot ships are configured with a 52,000 square-foot flight deck to support MH-53, MH-60, MV-22 tilt-rotor, and H1 aircraft operations.
The vessel is poised to undertake a range of maritime missions, from supporting Special Operations Forces to conducting airborne mine countermeasure operations.
The USNS Hector A. Cafferata Jr. (ESB 8), the sixth ship in the ESB programme, is scheduled to be christened in 2025. The first four ships in the ESB programme – USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3), USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4), USS Miguel Keith (ESB 5), and USS John L. Canley (ESB 6) – have been delivered to the US Navy.
In October 2023, General Dynamics NASSCO clinched a contract from the US Navy worth up to $754m. This agreement entailed modernising, maintaining, and repairing two Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, the USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93) and the USS James E. Williams (DDG 95). (Source: naval-technology.com)
PLANT CLOSURES, JOB LOSSES AND STRIKES
09 May 24. Israeli labor dispute could disrupt production of Arrow 3 weapon. The Israel Aerospace Industries workers’ union has announced a labor dispute and is threatening to disrupt the company’s supply to its customers.
The dispute, announced Monday, follows the Israeli Finance Ministry’s demand that it regulate so-called salary anomalies found within the state-owned defense company. The government is seeking the return of hundreds of millions of shekels that IAI employees received over multiple years without governmental approval, contrary to what is customary in state-owned firms.
But the union describes the anomalies as incentives, claiming they are primarily meant to help with employee retention. The union wants the salary deviations to be incorporated into the company’s budget.
The union added that if the Finance Ministry does not meet its demands, the supply of the Arrow 3 air defense system to Germany, which is the largest defense deal in the history of Israel and the company, will be among the disrupted programs.
“Our goal is not to harm the company or its customers,” Yair Katz, chairman of the union, told Defense News. “Rather, exactly the opposite: to preserve it by preserv[ing] our employees.”
“Since our demands were not met by the Ministry of Finance, we declared a labor dispute, and we now demand the intervention of the prime minister,” Katz added.
Katz said IAI workers will not carry out their threat of disruption until after they have exhausted discussion procedures with all the relevant parties, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the minister responsible for the authority of government companies, David Amsalem.
A meeting held with Amsalem on Tuesday — which also involved IAI management, the union committee and the salary commissioner with Israel’s treasury — ended without an agreement.
“The employees don’t want foreign customers to think twice about doing business with the IAI, but if our issue will not be addressed, it is possible that the prime minister will receive complaints from foreign leaders about delivery delays of systems, and then he will understand the magnitude of the crisis and intervene to solve it,” Katz said.
The treasury has said it is ready to meet with the company’s management and union representatives to discuss a new collective agreement that will respond to the changing labor market.
However, the union said the proposals from the latest meetings did not address the issue to their satisfaction.
Defense News has learned that during Tuesday’s meeting with Amsalem, the parties decided to try drawing up an interim agreement within a week that would last for three months, during which they would discuss a permanent agreement to resolve the issue. An interim agreement is yet to be signed.
On Thursday, the Israeli Defense Ministry announced that officials representing the government and the German Defence Ministry met to discuss the production of the Arrow 3. The contract was signed in November 2023 after approval from the U.S. government in August that year. Germany is set to receive its first Arrow 3 battery as early as the end of 2025. Germany has already transferred $600m of the $3.5bn deal, and IAI is supposed to complete the delivery of the remaining batteries up through the end of 2030.
IAI has experienced so-called salary irregularities for several years, with the treasury bringing them up annually. Until the recent dispute, the Israeli government had conceded to one-off salary increases for IAI employees, while also agreeing to discuss with the union a way to settle so-called salary anomalies and set up a new employment agreement. But these discussions never ended in a resolution.
The workers’ union and the company itself are united in the union’s demand to incorporate the alleged salary anomalies into the company’s budget.
IAI is fully owned by the Israeli government and as such is subject to supervision by the Finance Ministry, which outlines the salary framework for the company’s managers and employees.
“IAI employees have been working 24/7 since Oct. 7, and the decision of the salary commissioner at the Ministry of Finance comes in the most wrong timing,” Boaz Levy, the chief executive of IAI, told Defense News, referring to the day Hamas attacked Israel, which led to the ongoing war in Gaza.
“Wage irregularities are nothing new, and the issue can wait until the war subsides,” Levy added. “The company’s management and its employees should not be distracted from their work due to this issue. And the company’s board of directors, its management and its workers’ union stand together in opposition to it. The company is ready for a new collective agreement, but this is not the time.”
The executive expressed confidence that the prime minister’s intervention would help, noting that any resolution would be ”a temporary solution until the end of the war,” after which there would need to be “a comprehensive solution.”
The Prime Minister’s Office did not respond to Defense News’ request for comment.
The Finance Ministry declined to discuss whether it will impose sanctions on the company, its management or its employees — or whether a solution has been found.
However, the ministry did tell Defense News that its commissioner in charge of payments “is not opposed to salary promotions for IAI employees, provided that these promotions do not lead to a deepening of the existing salary anomalies.”
Amid the dispute, Levy said, the company will “continue to work fully, both with our clients abroad and in Israel.”
“But I cannot declare that there will be no disruption, since I do not know what the day will bring,” he added. (Source: Defense News)
09 May 24. End of an era as SAAF Dakota retirement looms. After 81 years of military service in South Africa, the C-47 Dakota is finally being withdrawn from the South African Air Force (SAAF). Air Force Base Ysterplaat-based 35 Squadron, which operates the type, was this week told that the aircraft will be phased out.
This is hardly surprising as they have not flown for about two years. In September last year Armscor told Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans (PCDMV) that all eight C-47TPs in the SAAF’s inventory were grounded, with the prospect of them never flying again due to challenges finding a maintenance provider.
A request for maintenance last year elicited no valid bids, and Armscor was forced to cancel the process for the second time. “The Dakota C-47TP is a very old aircraft, thus the support for this aircraft is very limited in South Africa and the world,” Armscor stated. “Due to the age of the aircraft, it is no longer supported by the OEM [original equipment manufacturer]. There are no AMOs [aircraft maintenance organisations] with a Dakota C-47TP stipulated on the Operational Specification.”
Armscor added that there have been numerous attempts to get a support contract for the C-47TP Dakota fleet since 2018, which resulted in no valid bids and several user requirement specification amendments. “Discussion are being held with SAAF regarding the future usage of the aircraft due to reasons indicated above,” Armscor stated in its presentation to the PCDMV last year.
The C-47 Dakota entered SAAF service in 1943. At one stage in the 1980s, the SAAF had the distinction of operating the largest fleet of Dakotas in the world. The Dakota carried out yeoman service during the Border War from the 1960s through to the end of hostilities in 1988, performing such roles as troop transport, resupply, medical evacuation, paratrooping and other ancillary activities.
Following the end of the Border War, the number of squadrons operating the Dakota was reduced, along with the disposal of airframes.
The early 1990s saw a large number of Dakotas upgraded to ‘TurboDak’ configuration under Project Felstone. This conversion involved replacing the piston engines of the classic Dakota with two Pratt and Whitney PT6A 65R turboprop engines, lengthening of the fuselage and installing modern avionics. Thereafter, the aircraft were re-designated as the C-47-TP TurboDak. Between 1989 and 1994, twelve aircraft were converted to C-47-TP standard.
35 Squadron has been associated with the Dakota since 1985, when several C-47s were acquired to replace the recently retired Avro Shackleton MR3 in the maritime surveillance role.
When 25 and 27 Squadrons were amalgamated with 35 Squadron on 31 December 1990, additional Dakotas were utilised for air transport, leaving the Squadron responsible for both the Maritime and Transport roles. The classic piston-engined workhorses were finally withdrawn in September 1994 and replaced with the modified turbine engine C-47-TP Dakota.
Apart from the Squadron’s maritime role and transport role (consisting of paratrooping, target towing, scheduled passenger services, aero medical evacuation and logistical support), the Squadron also performs other support functions. These include electronic intelligent gathering, tactical image (photo) reconnaissance and numerous training functions, such as navigator and telecommunication operator training.
As a result of rationalisation that has taken place over the last few years, only five C-47TPs remain in SAAF service, where they serve with 35 Squadron in Cape Town in a variety of roles. The variants operated are three in maritime surveillance configuration and two in transport configuration. The sole Electronic Warfare platform was previously taken out of service. Not all are currently airworthy and none have flown for some time.
The actual date of withdrawal is not currently known, nor details of any final flight or disposal plans. One or two aircraft still undertake regular ground engine runs.
It would appear that 35 Squadron will not be closed, but may operate another current SAAF platform to keep pilots current.
An official announcement from the SAAF is still awaited. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
08 May 24. The Australian Defence Force has announced the decommissioning of the minehunter coastal vessel, HMAS Huon (II) later this month. HMAS Huon (II), the first of six Huon Class minehunter coastal vessels, will be decommissioned on Thursday, 30 May, following 25 years of service with the Royal Australian Navy. A decommissioning ceremony is expected to be held at the ship’s homeport of HMAS Waterhen in Sydney, NSW, on the same day.
The 52-metre long, 46-crew member, 1,600 nautical mile ranged vessel was originally commissioned in May 1999 and launched in July 1997 after being designed in Italy from the Italian Navy’s Gaeta Class and built by ADI Newcastle. It was outfitted with improved accommodation and minehunting modifications to suit Australian conditions. The Huon name was derived from Australian rivers, and it was the second ship to carry the title after World War I River Class Destroyer, HMAS Huon (I).
HMAS Huon (II) featured a unique hull design with an inherently low magnetic signature to facilitate operation in hostile mine environments. It also was equipped with variable depth sonar capable of detection ranges in excess of 1,000 metres ahead of the ship, a pair of electrically powered Bofors Underwater Systems Double Eagle mine disposal vehicles equipped with a searchlight, closed-circuit low-light television camera and an onboard close-range identification sonar.
It was also fitted with an MSI DS30B Oerlikon 30mm rapid-fire cannon, the only 30mm cannon in service with the Australian Defence Force.
Earlier this month, the ship’s company of HMAS Huon marched through the streets during a Freedom of Entry ceremony in Huonville, Tasmania. The crew of Royal Australian Navy minehunter HMAS Huon and members of the Navy Band marched in a Freedom of Entry ceremony at Huonville in south-east Tasmania in a tradition that dates back to medieval times. Granting of Freedom of Entry is the highest accolade a town can award a military unit, bestowing the right to march through the streets with swords drawn, bayonets fixed, drums beating, bands playing and ensign flying. The ceremony is a mark of trust and respect.
Late last year, HMAS Huon was one of the vessels tasked by the Royal Australian Navy to conduct search operations in the vicinity of Lindeman Island, Queensland, on July 2023 during Exercise Talisman Sabre 23. The vessel provided underwater sensor, sonar detection, clearance diving and remotely operated vehicle capabilities in assistance during the multinational and multi-agency search effort following an Australian Army MRH-90 Taipan helicopter impacting waters near Lindeman Island on 28 July last year. (Source: Defence Connect)
08 May 24. Australia: Strikes at major shipyard will potentially cause delays to existing submarine maintenance. On 6 May, workers at Australian state-owned submarine manufacturer ASC Ltd began strikes at the Osborne shipyard in South Australia, demanding higher wages. While around 300 workers went on strike for an hour on Monday, a separate meeting of union members decided to extend their strike actions indefinitely. These strikes will possibly disrupt maintenance for Australia’s submarines. This industrial action will likely delay maintenance on the Collins-class submarines, with significant impacts expected on scheduled works for the HMAS Rankin and repairs on the HMAS Sheean if the industrial action drags on. The Osborne shipyard is slated to construct Australia’s fleet of nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS pact between Britain, the US and Australia. However, with construction slated to begin in the late 2020s, the project is less likely to be impacted by the current industrial dispute. This industrial action follows Australia’s announcement in February, which saw the nation commit to building up its naval capabilities with an additional AUD 11.1 bn in defence spending. This expansion, including its joining of the AUKUS pact, is a response to escalating geopolitical tensions in the Asia-Pacific, driven by the rivalry between the US, its allies and China. (Source: Sibylline)
06 May 24. Slap in the face: Submarine workers drop tools over wage parity. Submarine workers in South Australia have commenced strike action and branded current arrangements as a “slap in the face”, as they seek wage parity with other parts of the country.
Hundreds of tradespeople critical to the survival of Australia’s future AUKUS submarine fleet are calling for pay fairness and walking off the job at government-operated ASC maintenance and sustainment facility on 6 May.
The facility is part of the Osborne Naval Shipyard, where 350 trades and operator support workers are taking protected industrial action over poor pay and conditions. It’s understood that Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU), Australian Workers’ Union, and Electrical Trades Union (ETU) members recently rejected an offer by ASC which was 7 per cent short of parity with their counterparts in Western Australia.
It’s alleged by the unions that ASC workers in Western Australia receive 17 per cent on average more than ASC workers in South Australia, despite Western Australian ASC workers being trained in South Australia and being paid more in the process than by those training them.
The AMWU is seeking ASC address the discrepancy with South Australian wages, according to Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union SA assistant state secretary Stuart Gordon.
“South Australian workers are performing essential work and critically support the ASC workers in Western Australia. Why are these workers treated any less than those out west?”
“The SA division of ASC fulfils a vital role in Australia’s submarine capability by performing a huge volume of work unlike anywhere else across the country. They are the only team able to carry out the Collins’ deep maintenance or full-cycle docking where the boat is completely stripped down and has its massive diesel engines and main motor removed and refurbished. The WA division of ASC only do the running maintenance of the boats and breakdowns. The SA submarine workers are constantly helping and training their WA colleagues and fixing all the equipment they remove as the SA division has the skills, expertise, and knowledge to undertake these tasks.
“Hundreds of submarine experts work on the Collins Class submarines which are an essential part of Australia’s current naval capability. It’s a slap in the face for trainers in SA who are being paid less than those they are training. They should be paid more, but they’re just asking to be paid the same. These workers deserve respect. (Source: Defence Connect)
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
PERSONNEL
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
10 May 24. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has put his former defence chief and outspoken Russia critic in charge of the interior ministry amid heightened concerns about Moscow-backed spying. Announcing his first government reshuffle since taking office in December, Tusk on Friday said Tomasz Siemoniak will run the interior ministry while retaining his current role as co-ordinator of domestic intelligence services. Siemoniak was defence minister from 2011 to 2015 during Tusk’s previous term as prime minister. (Source: FT.com)
10 May 24. Ms Samantha Job CMG MVO has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Sweden in succession to Ms Judith Gough CMG. Ms Job will take up her appointment during August 2024.
09 May 24. Mr Malcolm Green has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Oriental Republic of Uruguay in succession to Ms Faye O’Connor OBE. Mr Green will take up his appointment during August 2024
09 May 24. Ms Danielle Dunne has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Paraguay in succession to Mr Ramin Navai who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Ms Dunne will take up her appointment during January 2025.07 May 24. Mr Ramin Navai has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of El Salvador in succession to Mr David Lelliott OBE who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Mr Navai will take up his appointment during December 2024.
07 May 24. Mr Patrick Lynch has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Madagascar in succession to Mr David Ashley who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Mr Lynch will take up his appointment during August 2024.
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
09 May 24. USMC LG Stephen D. Sklenka for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as deputy commandant for Installations and Logistics. Sklenka is currently serving as the deputy commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Camp Smith, Hawaii.
09 May 24. USMC MG Calvert L. Worth Jr. for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as commanding general, II Marine Expeditionary Force. Worth is currently serving as the commanding general, 2d Marine Division, Jacksonville, North Carolina.
09 May 24. USMC MG Gregory K. Anderson for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as commanding general, XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Liberty, North Carolina. Anderson is currently serving as the commanding general, 10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum, New York.
09 May 24. USMC MG Jered P. Helwig for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as deputy commander, U.S. Transportation Command, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. Helwig is currently serving as commanding general, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, Fort Shafter, Hawaii.
09 May 24. Army Col. Terri J. Erisman for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Erisman is currently serving as staff judge advocate, III Corps, Fort Cavazos, Texas.
09 May 24. Army Col. Christopher A. Kennebeck for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Kennebeck is currently serving as chief, Criminal Law Division, Office of the Judge Advocate General, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
09 May 24. Army Col. Steven M. Ranieri for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Ranieri is currently serving as executive officer to the Judge Advocate General of the Army, U.S. Army, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
09 May 24. USAF Col. Lisa A. Nemeth for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Nemeth is currently serving as the Air National Guard advisor to the commander, Air Mobility Command, Scott USAF Base, Illinois.
09 May 24. USAF Col. Peter M. Boone for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Boone is currently serving as the chief, Programs Division, Office of Legislative Liaison, National Guard Bureau, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
09 May 24. Navy Vice Adm. John F. Wade for reappointment to the grade of vice admiral, with assignment as commander, Third Fleet, San Diego, California. Wade most recently served as commander, Task Force Red Hill, Camp H.S. Smith, Hawaii.
09 May 24. Navy Rear Adm. Michael J. Vernazza for appointment to the grade of vice admiral, with assignment as commander, Naval Information Forces, Suffolk, Virginia. Vernazza is currently serving as commander, Fleet Information Warfare Command Pacific/Information Warfare Task Force (TF-501), Pacific, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.
08 May 24. USAF MG Jason T. Hinds for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as deputy commander, U.S. Air Forces Europe; and deputy commander, U.S. Air Forces Africa, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Hinds is currently serving as director of Operations, U.S. European Command, Stuttgart-Vaihingen, Germany.
04 May 24. Rear Adm. Heidi K. Berg will be assigned as deputy commander, Navy Space Command; and deputy commander, Fleet Cyber Command, Fort Meade, Maryland. Berg is currently serving as assistant deputy chief of naval operations for Operations, Plans, and Strategy, N3/N5B, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C.
04 May 24. Rear Adm. Nicholas M. Homan will be assigned as deputy director, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Operations; and director, Joint Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Operations Center, J-3, Joint Staff, Fort Meade, Maryland. Homan is currently serving as director, J-2, U.S. Central Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.
04 May 24. Rear Adm. Kevin P. Lenox will be assigned as director, J5, U.S. Cyber Command, Fort Meade, Maryland. Lenox is currently serving as commander, Carrier Strike Group Three, Bremerton, Washington.
04 May 24. Rear Adm. Darryl L. Walker will be assigned as president, Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island. Walker is currently serving as commander, Combined Joint Task Force, Cyber, Tenth Fleet, Fort Meade, Maryland.
04 May 24. Rear Adm. (lower half) Benjamin R. Nicholson, selected for promotion to rear admiral, will be assigned as assistant deputy chief of naval operations for Operations, Plans, and Strategy, N3/N5B, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C. Nicholson is currently serving as commander, Expeditionary Strike Group Two, Virginia Beach, Virginia.
04 May 24. Rear Adm. (lower half) Kristen Acquavella will be assigned as commander, Naval Supply Systems Command Weapons Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Acquavella is currently serving as director, Logistics, Fleet Supply and Ordnance, N4, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
04 May 24. Rear Adm. (lower half) Eric J. Anduze will be assigned as deputy director for Joint Training, Joint Staff, Suffolk, Virginia. Anduze is currently serving as deputy commander, Combined Joint Task Force, Horn of Africa, Djibouti, Africa.
04 May 24. Rear Adm. (lower half) Kurtis A. Mole will be assigned as deputy commander, Joint Forces Headquarters-Cyber (Navy); and deputy commander, Fleet Cyber Command, Fort Meade, Maryland. Mole is currently serving as deputy commander, Tenth Fleet, Fort Meade, Maryland.
04 May 24. Capt. Kevin J. Brown, selected for promotion to rear admiral (lower half), will be assigned as commander, Naval Medical Forces Atlantic, with additional duties as director, Tidewater Market/chief of Medical Service Corps, Portsmouth, Virginia. Brown is currently serving as commanding officer, Navy Medical Readiness and Training Command/Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
04 May 24. Capt. Todd F. Cimicata, selected for promotion to rear admiral (lower half), will be assigned as commander, Logistics Group, Western Pacific; and commander, Task Force Seven Three, Singapore. Cimicata is currently serving as chief of staff, Naval Air Forces/Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, San Diego, California.
04 May 24. Capt. Jorge R. Cuadros, selected for promotion to rear admiral (lower half), will be assigned as commander, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Atlantic; and director, Fleet Installations and Environmental Division (N46), U.S. Fleet Forces Command, with additional duties as fleet civil engineer (N01CE), U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Norfolk, Virginia. Cuadros is currently serving as chief of staff, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, Washington, D.C.
04 May 24. Capt. Marcos A. Jasso, selected for promotion to rear admiral (lower half), will be assigned as deputy director, Plans, U.S. Space Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. Jasso is currently serving as director for Operations, N3, Maritime Operations Center, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
04 May 24. Capt. Cassidy C. Norman, selected for promotion to rear admiral (lower half), will be assigned as director, Joint/Fleet Operations, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Norfolk, Virginia. Norman is currently serving as chief of staff, Naval Air Force Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia.
REST OF THE WORLD APPOINTMENTS
10 May 24. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy of Ukraine has made another change in military leadership by appointing Brigadier General Oleksandr Trepak as the new commander of the Special Operations Forces (SOF) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The decision, announced through two presidential decrees, marks the second replacement of the SOF commander in just six months, following the dismissal of Colonel Serhiy Lupanchuk. Brigadier General Oleksandr Trepak, the appointed successor, has an extensive background, particularly noted for his leadership during the defense of Donetsk airport in 2014 against Russian-backed forces. Since then, Trepak has been actively involved in defense operations in eastern Ukraine, where he has been instrumental in various strategic operations against separatist forces. His military career has been marked by commendations including the title of Hero of Ukraine. (Source: https://www.sofx.com/)
INDUSTRY
PERSONNEL
INDUSTRY TEAMINGS
03 May 24. Babcock partners with AEROCAMPUS Aquitaine to enhance skills and careers in France. Babcock announced a new partnership with the AEROCAMPUS Aquitaine, a school dedicated to careers in aviation and space maintenance. As part of our commitment to skills development and recruitment, this collaboration will support students from AEROCAMPUS Aquitaine and promote internships and apprenticeships within Babcock in France. Additionally, this enables us to offer our employees additional training to enhance their skills and career development opportunities, with AEROCAMPUS Aquitaine fast becoming an integral part of the training programme for our engineers in France.
Pauline Amaury, HR Development Manager, Babcock France, said: “Building on the Babcock Skills Academy launched last year, this collaboration with AEROCAMPUS Aquitaine emphasises our desire to support and train our young people, contributing to their future employability.
“Babcock is the first employer to offer this type of support and training to its people with AEROCAMPUS and we look forward to working with them to enhance skills and career pathways as well as making a positive contribution to the local community.”
This partnership was also the perfect opportunity to appoint Pauline as sponsor to the Lycée Aéronautique Flora Tristan’s students. Over 50 students will benefit from Pauline’s experience as she shares her professional expertise and ideas for their future development.
Pauline commented: “I’m delighted to be the first sponsor of the Lycée Flora Tristan class. Being a class sponsor gives me a chance to guide these talented young people, and underpins Babcock’s commitment to future generations.”
This collaboration forms part of our ongoing investment in growing workforce’s capabilities to ensure we are equipped to meet the evolving challenges our customers will face in the future.
In addition to the Babcock Skills Academy, to upskill and rapidly get our people ready to deliver the critical capabilities our customers need, we are also delivering programmes to open up career opportunities to a broader range of people with different backgrounds and experience. This includes programmes to support people back into employment, like skills-based training programmmes, and pre-apprenticeship programmes to help people to develop the skills, experience and confidence they need to move into work and be successful in an apprenticeship.
Pictured: Anne-Catherine Guitard, General Manager, Aerocampus Aquitaine, Bruno Mandon, General Manager of F-AIR21 and Pauline Amaury, HR Development Manager, Babcock France.
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
07 May 24. Dr. Carmen Jorge-Diaz. Carmen joined Flare Bright part-time during her PhD in 2023 as a Research Scientist, and is now our Modelling and Statistics specialist, acting as a team lead within our Engineering department, and also collaborating actively with our Commercial department. Carmen finished her PhD in Mathematical Physics at the University of Oxford in 2023, working under Prof. Luis F. Alday FRS in the development of novel mathematical techniques to tackle unsolved problems in String Theory. Prior to that, she completed a MASt in Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics at the University of Cambridge and a BSc in Physics in the University of Santiago de Compostela (Spain).
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
09 May 24. AMETEK, Inc. (NYSE: AME) today announced the appointment of Patrick L. Williams as Vice President and General Manager, MRO Division. Mr. Willams currently serves as Division Vice President and Business Unit Manager for the Power Protection and Quality Solutions (PPQS) business within AMETEK’s Power Systems and Instruments Division. (Source: PR Newswire)
07 May 24. EOS announced the appointment of Shawn Baerlocher as CEO of EOS Defense Systems USA. Shawn will work with Christian Tobergte, Executive Vice President, Defence Systems (International). Shawn brings over 30 years of experience in leading multiple defense programs across the entire Department of Defense and other government agencies. Serving in several senior leadership roles at Northrop Grumman and L3Harris, his critical experience in program management and technology commercialization will be essential to the continued growth at EOS. Based in Huntsville, Alabama, Shawn’s primary focus will be on expanding EOS’ presence in the North American defense markets for Remote Weapon Systems and Counter-UAS systems, as well as enhancing the production capabilities of EOS to better serve both US and international customers. Shawn steps into the role following the recent retirement of Brigadier General (Retired) Philip Coker.
09 May 24. Frontgrade Technologies (“Frontgrade”), a leading independent supplier of high-reliability, advanced electronic solutions for space and national security missions, announced today the appointments of Allen Couture as Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Kevin Fox as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective immediately. After outgoing COO Neil Dial and CFO Conrad Gagnon announced their intentions to retire earlier this year, the company conducted a comprehensive search for their replacements, resulting in today’s announcement of its two new executive team members.Couture brings more than 25 years of operations, engineering, and program management experience with leading aerospace, defense, and automotive companies including RTX, Ford Motor Company, Bombardier Aerospace, and Hawker Beechcraft. Most recently, he served as Executive Vice President of Execution Excellence at Mercury Systems, following 10 years with Raytheon, which culminated in his position as Vice President of Operations and Security for Raytheon Missiles & Defense. Fox joins Frontgrade from his role as Chief Financial Officer of Thermon Group Holdings, Inc. where, in addition to directing the company’s finance strategy, he led its accounting, corporate development, and information technology functions. Fox brings to Frontgrade nearly 20 years of experience in corporate finance and strategy within the industrial manufacturing and transportation industries, which includes 13 years with General Electric. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
03 May 24. OSI Systems, Inc. (the “Company”) (NASDAQ: OSIS) announced today that Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Deepak Chopra has informed the Company’s Board of Directors of his plans to retire from his roles as President and Chief Executive Officer by the end of the current calendar year, after the appointment of a successor. Following his retirement as President and CEO, Mr. Chopra will continue to work with the Company as Executive Chairman of the Board. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
08 May 24. VSE Corporation (NASDAQ: VSEC, “VSE”, or the “Company”), a leading provider of aftermarket distribution and repair services, announced today the appointment of Tarang Sharma to interim Chief Financial Officer effective May 27, 2024. Mr. Sharma, VSE’s Vice President, Controller and Corporate Development, succeeds Steve Griffin, who is departing the Company to pursue an opportunity outside of the Aerospace industry. VSE has initiated a search for a CFO with the assistance of an executive search firm. Mr. Griffin will remain with the Company through the end of May and then serve as a consultant for a period of three months to ensure a smooth transition of his responsibilities. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
REST OF THE WORLD APPOINTMENTS
03 May 24. Northrop Grumman Australia has confirmed that chief executive and general manager Christine Zeitz will retire from her position at the end of September. Zeitz has been with Northrop Grumman Australia for the past four years, taking over as chief executive from Chris Deeble, now Deputy Secretary responsible for Defence’s Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG). During her time with the company, Zeitz has been responsible for an extensive organisational transformation of Northrop Grumman Australia and supporting the Australian acquisition of MQ-4C Triton remotely piloted aerial systems and was influential in broadening the company’s expanded support across multiple domains. An experienced C-suite executive and board director, Zeitz is currently the deputy chair and an active board member for SBS Broadcasting and chair of Defence Trailblazer. As part of the leadership shake-up, Northrop Grumman Australia will reshape its leadership structure, bringing the company in line with the broader Northrop Grumman international business strategy, to support changing market conditions and the local technology portfolios. (Source: Defence Connect)