LOCATIONS

MARITIME

21 Apr 10. Devonport-based warship HMS Northumberland left Plymouth this week to commence what will be a seven-and-a-half month deployment to the Middle East. The ship’s mission is part of a multinational effort to disrupt terrorist and organised crime smuggling routes that provide both supplies and finances for various terrorist organisations. This will involve the ship operating for extended periods in the harsh and uncomfortable environment of the Middle East where temperatures can easily reach 50 degrees Celsius. (Source: ASD Network)

PERSONNEL

MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT

EUROPE APPOINTMENTS

20 Apr 10. Air Vice-Marshal S J Hillier CBE DFC to be Director Information Superiority in the Ministry of Defence and Air Member for Equipment Capability in October 2010, in succession to Air Vice-Marshal C W Dixon OBE whose next appointment as Commander Joint Helicopter Command has already been announced.

20 Apr 10. Air Commodore R Lock CBE to be promoted Air Vice-Marshal and to be Commandant Joint Services Command & Staff College in July 2010, in succession to Major General G J Binns CBE DSO MC.

20 Apr 10. Air Commodore P C Osborn CBE to be promoted Air Vice-Marshal and to be Air Officer Commanding No 2 Group in October 2010, in succession to Air Vice-Marshal S J Hillier CBE DFC.

20 Apr 10. Air Commodore B Cooper CBE to be Commandant Air Cadets on 1 June 2010, in succession to Air Commodore I R W Stewart.

20 Apr 10. Air Commodore S K Dobb CBE to be Deputy United Kingdom Military Representative (NATO) and Chief of Staff on 10 May 2010, in succession to Brigadier J W R Thorn CBE.

20 Apr 10. Air Commodore M E West to be Assistant Chief of Staff Support & Air Officer Commanding Directly Administered Units in August 2010, in succession to Air Commodore K L O’Dea whose next appointment as Commander Joint Force Logistics Organisation in the Permanent Joint Headquarters has already been announced.

20 Apr 10. Air Commodore I R W Stewart to be United Kingdom National Military Representative Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe on 24 May 2010, in succession to Brigadier D C Eccles CBE.

U.S. APPOINTMENTS

19 Apr 10. The director of the National Security Agency, Lt Gen. Keith Alexander, could take charge of the Pentagon’s newly formed cyber command set up to protect the country’s computer networks and power grids. The military intelligence officer will take command of a virtual army of computer technicians and network warfare specialists after the confirmation by the Senate, which has been delayed for about six months, according to the Washington Post. The NSA director will provide evidence for the new cyber command before the Senate Armed Services Committee on 22 April 2010. Alexander, in his 32-page response to questions from lawmakers, said that offensive actions in cyberspace, including dismantling a website used by jihadists overseas, were traditional military activities and should not be considered covert operations. The cyber command will primarily focus on military networks and provide options to the president should attacks on private, critical computer systems and civilian government systems threaten the nation’s security.
The new military command will take the lead role in responding to a cyber attack on the US under a presidential order. (Source: armytechnology.com)

20 Apr 10. Alan A. Aldwell has been appointed to the Senior Executive Service and is assigned as deputy director, Defense Technology Security Administration, Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Integration and Chief of Staff, Arlington, Va. Aldwell previously served as foreign affairs specialist, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Global Strategic Affairs, Arlington, Va.

20 Apr 10. Robert G. Bell has been appointed to the Senior Executive Service and is assigned as defense advisor to the U.S. ambassador to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Office of the