SECRECY NEWS
from the FAS Project on Government Secrecy
Volume 2018, Issue No. 26
April 12, 2018

Secrecy News Blog: https://fas.org/blogs/secrecy/

NUCLEAR WEAPONS MAINTENANCE AS A CAREER PATH

The US Air Force has published new guidance for training military and civilian personnel to maintain nuclear weapons as a career specialty.

See Nuclear Weapons Career Field Education and Training Plan, Department of the Air Force, April 1, 2018.

An Air Force nuclear weapons specialist "inspects, maintains, stores, handles, modifies, repairs, and accounts for nuclear weapons, weapon components, associated equipment, and specialized/general test and handling equipment." He or she also "installs and removes nuclear warheads, bombs, missiles, and reentry vehicles."

A successful Air Force career path in the nuclear weapons specialty proceeds from apprentice to journeyman to craftsman to superintendent.

"This plan will enable training today's workforce for tomorrow's jobs," the document states, confidently assuming a future that resembles the present.

Meanwhile, however, the Air Force will also "support the negotiation of, implementation of, and compliance with, international arms control and nonproliferation agreements contemplated or entered into by the United States Government," according to a newly updated directive.

See Air Force Policy Directive 16-6, International Arms Control and Nonproliferation Agreements and the DoD Foreign Clearance Program, 27 March 2018:

STATUS OF THE SMART GRID, AND MORE FROM CRS

The "smart grid" refers to an ongoing modernization of the nation's electrical power system that makes it possible to dynamically allocate power and optimize system operation. It's a work in progress.

A new report from the Congressional Research Service reviews smart grid technologies, costs and concerns including privacy and cybersecurity. See The Smart Grid: Status and Outlook, April 10, 2018:

Other new and updated reports from the Congressional Research Service this week include the following.

An Overview of Discretionary Reprieves from Removal: Deferred Action, DACA, TPS, and Others, April 10, 2018:

Class Action Lawsuits: A Legal Overview for the 115th Congress, April 11, 2018:

The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 and an FY2019 Budget Resolution, April 10, 2018:

Trade Promotion Authority (TPA): Frequently Asked Questions, updated April 10, 2018:

Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) Mobility, Reconnaissance, and Firepower Programs, updated April 10, 2018:

Tort and Litigation Reform in the 115th Congress, CRS Legal Sidebar, April 10, 2018:

Mississippi Court Halts Enforcement of New Abortion Law, CRS Legal Sidebar, April 10, 2018:

OMB and Treasury Disagree over Process for Issuing New Tax Rules, CRS Insight, April 10, 2018:

Balanced Budget Amendments, CRS Insight, April 10, 2018:

U.S. Foreign Aid to Israel, updated April 10, 2018:

******************************

Secrecy News is written by Steven Aftergood and published by the Federation of American Scientists.

The Secrecy News blog is at:
      https://fas.org/blogs/secrecy/

To SUBSCRIBE to Secrecy News, go to:
     https://fas.org/sgp/news/secrecy/subscribe.html

To UNSUBSCRIBE, go to:
      https://fas.org/sgp/news/secrecy/unsubscribe.html

OR email your request to saftergood@fas.org

Secrecy News is archived at:
      https://fas.org/sgp/news/secrecy/index.html

SUPPORT the FAS Project on Government Secrecy with a donation here:
      https://fas.org/donate/