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SHANAHAN ADDRESSES SPACE FORCE CONCERNS: The big rap against President Trump’s proposed Space Force is not about its core mission, but its potential overhead. “While there’s plenty of debate about the how, we are united by the why: Protecting our economy and deterring our adversaries, and focused on delivering more capability faster,” Deputy Defense Secretary Pat Shanahan said in his keynote address to an Air Force Association conference yesterday. The concern in Congress and among internal critics is that standing up a sixth branch of the military to deal with space will waste billions on bureaucracy, funding all the accouterments of a separate service, such as a Space Academy, an additional civilian service secretary and a military member of the Joint Chiefs. “[What] I would tell you is, there is no groupthink in the Pentagon,” Shanahan said. “We’re really wrestling with, you know, the how. If we drew a Venn diagram on what it is we want to accomplish, you know, everything lays on top of one another.” But Shanahan promised that when the Pentagon submits a legislative proposal for the Space Force next February, it will not be larded with extras. “Its headquarters will be lean, with every possible resource devoted to enhancing our capabilities,” Shanahan said. “Along the way, we will do no harm to existing missions, create no seams between the services, and remain laser-focused on our warfighters and the capabilities they need to win.” Later in an interview on CNBC, Shanahan expressed confidence that critics of the Space Force concept would be won over by the final plan. “Getting everyone on board will be simpler than most people think. I think a big part of that is helping people understand what is the Space Force,” Shanahan said. “It is imperative that we protect our economy, and our economy runs on space. So, it’s all about how do we protect our space assets, and then deter our adversaries who wish to do us harm. With that focus, I am very confident that we’ll get the alignment of the White House and the Congress, and the resources we need to protect America.” F-35 IS THE FUTURE: In his address, Shanahan reinforced the idea that so much is riding on the Lockheed Martin F-35 it cannot be allowed to fail. “I think we can all agree that it is a remarkable aircraft, with eye-watering capabilities critical to the high-end fight,” Shanahan said. But in the next breath, he acknowledged that the cost of keeping the planes operating at a high rate remains a challenge. “We’re at the front end of the program, which means we can still set the bar high when it comes to sustainment. But the time is now; it’s tonight, not next year. We need to formulate plans to significantly and continuously improve combat mission capability rates, operating costs, and depthless supply chain performance,” he said. “The F-35 is our future. The standards of performance we set today and the improvements we make will ensure its lethality and affordability for years to come.” THE CHANGING NATURE OF WAR: The Pentagon is drawing up doctrines and identifying capabilities to deal with the two relatively new warfighting domains of cyber and space, Shanahan said. “The character of war is changing rapidly, dangerously blurring the line between competition and combat. Adversaries increasingly leverage media and hackers, instead of fighter jets, to achieve their ends,” he said. “We live in an era of great power competition. That’s a muscle we haven’t used in a while. In contrast, our great power adversaries have studied our way of war for 30 years and built systems and doctrine to thwart it.” FUN FACT TO KNOW AND TELL: According to Shanahan: “Each year, the average U.S. household contributes about $2,000 to defense, less than the insurance on my son’s car. And he’s a good driver.” THE STEALTH SECRETARY: Once again, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is traveling, but the Pentagon has not announced where he’s going or what he’s doing. As a courtesy, we generally don’t report the secretary’s travel schedule unless and until it’s officially announced. Despite repeated promises to be more forthcoming with the whereabouts of top officials, the Pentagon often fails to provide routine details, usually with the explanation that there are no public events on his schedule. It would appear Mattis is on a short domestic trip. Keep an eye out, and let us know if you spot him. Good Thursday morning and welcome to Jamie McIntyre’s Daily on Defense, compiled by Washington Examiner National Security Senior Writer Jamie McIntyre (@jamiejmcintyre), National Security Writer Travis J. Tritten (@travis_tritten) and Senior Editor David Brown (@dave_brown24). Email us here for tips, suggestions, calendar items and anything else. If a friend sent this to you and you’d like to sign up, click here. If signing up doesn’t work, shoot us an email and we’ll add you to our list. And be sure to follow us on Twitter @dailyondefense. |
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HAPPENING TODAY: The Defense Writers Group hosts an 8 a.m. breakfast with Kelly McKeague, the director of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. McKeague’s agency is handling the return of troop remains from North Korea amid negotiations over the regime’s nuclear program. Last week Mattis confirmed that so far two sets of 55 remains repatriated by North Korea have been positively identified as Americans killed in action during the 1950-1953 Korean War, and their families have been notified. HASC RESCHEDULES SYRIA HEARING: After canceling ahead of Hurricane Florence, the House Armed Services Committee has rescheduled its hearing on the U.S. strategy in Syria for Wednesday. There will be testimony from Assistant Defense Secretary Robert Karem and Brig. Gen. Scott Benedict of the Joint Staff. POST-SUMMIT ASSESSMENT: After this week’s friendly talks between South Korean President Moon Jae-In and North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un, the debate continues over just how much was really accomplished. Yes, Kim has agreed to allow international inspectors to witness the dismantling of its major missile-testing sites, but as many experts have noted, most of North Korea’s most dangerous ICBMs are now of the mobile variety, launched from trucks, not static launchpads. ‘TREMENDOUS PROGRESS’ SAYS TRUMP: Speaking to reporters on the White House lawn before departing to inspect flooding in the Carolinas, Trump called the latest developments “very good news,” adding “we had some great responses,” and noting he “got a tremendous letter from Kim Jong Un” three days earlier. “We’re making tremendous progress with respect to North Korea,” Trump said. “Prior to my coming into office, a lot of people thought we were going — it was inevitable — we were going to war in North Korea. And now the relationships, I have to tell you, at least on a personal basis, they’re very good. It’s very much calmed down.” THERE’S A CATCH: What seemed like a major concession from Kim came with a major caveat. North Korea said it’s willing to continue to take further steps such as permanent dismantlement of its Yongbyon nuclear facility, but only if the United States agrees to take unspecified “corresponding steps.” Asked about North Korea’s demand for reciprocal measures, Trump was equally vague. “Well, we’ll see what he’s looking at. We’ll see. But in the meantime, we’re talking. It’s very calm. He’s calm; I’m calm. So we’ll see what happens.” WHAT NEXT? Trump will be conferring with Moon next Monday in New York at a session of the United Nations General Assembly. In remarks in Seoul today, Moon said Kim is ready to accelerate denuclearization in return for security guarantees from the United States and wants another summit with Trump soon. “Chairman Kim expressed his wish to finish complete denuclearization at an early date and focus on economic development,” Moon said, according to Yonhap News Agency. Moon said he would be conveying an “additional message” from Kim for Trump, including “items that we did not include in the joint declaration,” which was signed yesterday between Kim and Moon. “I plan to deliver such messages in detail to the U.S. side should I visit the United States and hold a summit again with President Trump in the future,” Moon added. POMPEO READY TO ROLL: Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who will also be in New York next week, issued a statement welcoming the potential dismantlement of Yongbyon and the Tongchang-ri missile site, which he said would take place “in the presence of U.S. and IAEA inspectors.” And Pompeo said he’s ready to resume the stalled talks between Pyongyang and Washington. “On the basis of these important commitments, the United States is prepared to engage immediately in negotiations to transform U.S.-DPRK relations,” his statement said. Pompeo has invited his North Korean counterpart Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho to meet on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly meeting. “Likewise, we have invited North Korean representatives to meet our Special Representative for North Korea, Stephen Biegun, in Vienna, Austria, at the earliest opportunity,” Pompeo said. KEEP UP THE PRESSURE: Kim’s latest agreement with Moon shouldn’t lead to any sanctions relief, a top Republican lawmaker urged yesterday. “Maximum pressure campaign should proceed,” House Foreign Affairs Chairman Rep. Ed Royce tweeted. “While North Korea has stopped testing missiles and nuclear devices, they have NOT moved toward denuclearization,” tweeted Sen. Lindsey Graham. “I’m concerned South Korea’s visit is going to undermine efforts by @SecPompeo and Ambassador @nikkihaley to impose maximum pressure on the North Korean regime… South Korea should not be played by Kim Jong Un.” ON SCOOTERS AND COMMAS: What do those suddenly ubiquitous electric scooters and errant commas have in common? Both are under attack from government bureaucrats. At the Pentagon, we hear by way of Defense One’s Kevin Baron that Defense Protective Service officers are launching a jihad against abandoned rental scooters after seven were found on the Pentagon grounds after this year’s Sept. 11 memorial services. And they plan to impound the scooters as well as abandoned rideshare bicycles. Over at the State Department, we learn from CNN that Pompeo has issued orders to eliminate misplaced commas and restore the much debated Oxford comma to its rightful position in providing clarity when needed. In an email obtained by CNN, guidance is issued on the use of commas in papers prepared for department principals, and it says Pompeo prefers adherence to the Chicago Manual of Style, which states “effective use of the comma involves good judgment, with the goal being ease of reading.” The email is replete with examples, including this example of misusage: “The administration is committed to achieving a lasting and comprehensive peace agreement, and remains optimistic that progress can be made.” As any schoolchild knows, no comma is required when single subject is followed by a compound predicate. The guidance is silent on the use of dashes, colons and semi-colons. At last check, the Chicago Manual of Style has not moved on the Amazon best-seller list. THE RUNDOWN Reuters: U.S. ready to restart talks with North Korea, seeks denuclearization by 2021 Defense One: Pentagon Appears to Concede USAF Point in Space Force Tug-of-War Foreign Policy: Time for Peace Talks With ISIS and Al Qaeda? Air Force Times: Chief Wright: Air Force needs ‘hybrid airmen’ to prepare for possibly devastating war DoD Buzz: B-1 Ejection Seat Failure Not Affecting Deployed Operations, General Says Navy Times: Navy SEAL in brig while agents probe killing in Iraq Defense News: Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has some advice for the Air Force Breaking Defense: Air Force Busts Out Credit Cards To Buy High Tech Gear USA Today: State Department says global terror attacks declined last year, but threats deemed more complex Task and Purpose: If The Hoth Crash Was An Air Force Investigation USNI News: NAVSEA: New Pentagon Strategy Putting Pressure on Private, Public Maintenance Yards to Deliver Ships on Time Washington Post: The Army is trying to find criminal conduct among immigrant recruits, email shows Washington Post: Poland used to be okay with Trump. Then, he posted a photo. |
CalendarTHURSDAY | SEPT. 20 7:30 a.m. 800 17th St. NW. Manufacturing Division Meeting. ndia.org 8 a.m. 2401 M St. NW. Defense Writers Group Breakfast with Kelly McKeague, Director of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. 9 a.m. 2301 Constitution Ave. RESOLVE Network 2018 Global Forum: Innovative Approaches to Understanding Violent Extremism. usip.org 11 a.m. 1000 Massachusetts Ave. NW. The Liberal International Order: Past, Present, and Future. cato.org 3:30 p.m. 1616 Rhode Island Ave. NW. Press Briefing: Analysis of the FY 2019 Defense Budget. csis.org 6 p.m. 529 23rd St. South. SO/LIC Division Social. ndia.org FRIDAY | SEPT. 21 8 a.m. 300 First St. SE. The Post-NPR Nuclear Weapons Stockpile with Peter Fanta, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear Matters. mitchellaerospacepower.org 12 noon. 1201 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. U.S.-Japan Cooperation in Strategic Island Defense with Retired Gen. James Conway, Former Marine Corps Commandant. hudson.org MONDAY | SEPT. 24 8 a.m. 3701 Post Office Rd. The Industrial Committee on Test and Evaluation. ndia.org TUESDAY | SEPT. 25 8 a.m. 300 1st St. SE. Missile Defense Perspectives with Retired Lt. Gen. Richard Formica, Vice President of Defense Accounts at Calibre, and Retired Brig. Gen. Kenneth Todorov, Vice President of Missile Defense Solutions at Northrop Grumman. mitchellaerospacepower.org 9:30 a.m. Dirksen G-50. Nomination Hearing for Gen. Robert Abrams to be Commander, United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, and U.S. Forces Korea; and Vice Adm. Craig Faller, to be Commander of U.S. Southern Command. armed-services.senate.gov WEDNESDAY | SEPT. 26 8 a.m. 1250 S. Hayes St. A Discussion with Brig. Gen. Chance “Salty” Saltzman, Director of Current Operations at Headquarters U.S. Air Force. mitchellaerospacepower.org 8:30 a.m. 1616 Rhode Island Ave. NW. Beyond the Water’s Edge with Reps. Adam Smith and Ted Yoho. csis.org 10 a.m. Rayburn 2141. Full Committee Hearing on the Impact of National Defense on the Economy, Diplomacy, and International Order. armedservices.house.gov 12:15 p.m. 740 15th St. NW. America’s First Foreign Fighter for al Qaeda After 9/11: Bryant Neal Viñas Tells His Story. newamerica.org 12:30 p.m. 529 14th St. NW. NPC Headliners Luncheon: Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson. press.org 2:30 p.m. Hart 216. Subcommittee Hearing on Cyber Operational Readiness of the Department of Defense with Essye Miller, Department of Defense Chief Information Officer; Lt. Gen. Vincent Stewart, Deputy Commander of U.S. Cyber Command; Lt. Gen. Stephen Fogarty, Commander of U.S. Army Cyber Command; and Brig. Gen. Dennis Crall, Principal Deputy Cyber Advisor and Senior Military Advisor for Cyber Policy. armed-services.senate.gov 3:30 p.m. Rayburn 2123. Subcommittee Hearing on the U.S. Strategy in Syria with Robert Story Karem, Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, and Brig. Gen. Scott Benedict, Deputy Director J5 Strategic Plans and Policy for Middle East Joint Staff. armedservices.house.gov THURSDAY | SEPT. 27 9 a.m. 37th and O St. NW. Kalaris Intelligence Conference with Eric Fanning, CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association, and Valerie Browning, Director of Defense Sciences at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. kalaris.org 12 noon. 1201 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Oceans Ventured: A Discussion with Former Navy Secretary John Lehman. hudson.org 3:30 p.m. Rayburn 2322. Subcommittee Update on Military Review Board Agencies. armedservices.house.gov 4 p.m. 1030 15th St. NW. From Inside the Pentagon: The Work of Women in National Security with Kathleen McInnis, Security Analyst for the Congressional Research Service; Christine Wormuth, Director of RAND’s International Security and Defense Policy Center; and Loren DeJonge Schulman, Deputy Director of Studies at the Center for a New American Security. atlanticcouncil.org 5:30 p.m. 1616 Rhode Island Ave. NW. Book Discussion: The Perfect Weapon: War, Sabotage, and Fear in the Cyber Age with Author David Sanger. csis.org |
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