The Defense Science Board has released a report that predicts what the nation’s strategic strike capabilities will look like years down the road. The Verdict? We’ve got homework to do. The report’s task force found “numerous areas of concern,” including DOD’s basic lack of direction for developing next generation strike systems. Exploration of new concepts and technologies in the far term is “inadequate,” states the DSB report. It also highlights the difficulty experienced by the military and industry in attracting and retaining the science and engineering graduates they need. The wide-ranging report also questions the industrial capability to design replacement ICBM systems, since business opportunities for the defense industry lie in other areas such as conventional warfare and space systems.
Airmen and Guardians in the Active and Reserve component, as well as civilian employees, in “mission critical and high-risk populations” are now required to receive influenza vaccinations annually to “preserve force readiness,” according to a recent Department of the Air Force memo.