According to a new Commerce Department study commissioned by the Navy the Pentagon comes up short when dealing with the rising tide of fake electronic components. The study, conducted from 2005 to 2008, found that among 387 companies and DOD organizations surveyed, 39 percent had encountered counterfeit parts. Commerce analysts believe the huge and unwieldy US supply chain exacerbates the problem, which grew—just in the electronics field—from 3,868 incidents in 2005 to nearly 9,356 in 2008. And, they say that “most DOD organizations do not have policies in place to prevent counterfeit parts from infiltrating their supply chain.” The head of the Defense Logistics Agency, Vice Adm. Alan Thompson told Washington-based defense reporters recently that he is concerned, adding that DLA is being “aggressive” in trying to stop fake parts from entering the US military supply system. (Commerce study, large file)
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.