26 May 05. Mine Counter Measures (MCM) Squadrons: Reorganisation. In a Written Statement, the Armed Forces’ Minister announced changes to the base ports for the MCM Squadrons. In future the remaining eight Hunt Class are to be based in Portsmouth as one Squadron and the remaining eight Sandown Class are to be based in Faslane as a second Squadron. The changes are to be complete by March 2007. The Defence Logistics Organisation noted (Preview, May 2005) that the final Sonar 2193 and Nautis command system had been fitted to the last of the eight Hunt Class. Comment: The reduction of MCM vessels from 22 to 16 was announced by the then Defence Secretary on 21 Jul 04. At present 13 Hunt and Sandown Class form the 1st and 2nd MCM Squadrons in Portsmouth while the remaining nine ships form the 3rd MCM Squadron in Faslane. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 05/21, 30 May 05)

26 May 05. U.S. To Get Two Bases In Romania. The United States will set up two military bases in Romania on the Black Sea within a year, Romanian army Gen. Valeriu Nicut disclosed. A small number of U.S. troops will be based at the facilities to help with logistics and training, the Army said. (Source: USA Today)

31 May 05. U.S. Senate Confirms Krieg as Pentagon Weapons Chief. The U.S. Senate has approved the nomination of former business executive Kenneth Krieg to become the Pentagon’s chief weapons buyer. (Source: InsideDefense.com,)

02 Jun 05. EADS Postpones Board Meeting, CEO Decisions. EADS failed to confirm Noël Forgeard and Tom Enders as co-chief executives June 1, as tough negotiations between the Franco-German shareholders delayed a board meeting that was expected to end months of management uncertainty. (Source: Defense News)

03 Jun 05. Raytheon Company has promoted Jane P. Chappell to vice president of the Strategic Imaging Systems product line for its Intelligence and Information Systems business. In her new position, Chappell is responsible for the leadership and oversight of the unit, including business growth and execution of programs, many of them classified.

03 Jun 05. Northrop Grumman Corporation’s board of directors has elected Philip A. Teel corporate vice president and president of the company’s Ship Systems sector, effective July 1, 2005. He will report to Ronald D. Sugar, Northrop Grumman’s chairman, chief executive officer (CEO) and president.