National Intelligence News

A South Korean court on Saturday issued arrest warrants for a former defense minister and a former coast guard chief over their alleged mishandling of the death of a state fishery ministry employee at the hands of North Korean troops two years ago.The decision by the Seoul Central District Court, which cited risks of them fleeing or destroying evidence, came days after the prosecutors on Tuesday filed for arrest warrants and follows an investigation by the government that showed…

The risk of cyber attacks targeting ships' satellite navigation is pushing nations to delve back through history and develop back-up systems with roots in World War Two radio technology. Ships use GPS (Global Positioning System) and other similar devices that rely on sending and receiving satellite signals, which many experts say are vulnerable to jamming by hackers. About 90 percent of world trade is transported by sea and the stakes are high in increasingly crowded shipping lanes.

As foreign ministers from countries with territory in the far North celebrated an agreement on fighting climate change this week, one topic seethed below the surface: growing competition for Arctic resources and sea lanes as the ice melts. Russia, one of eight members of the Arctic Council which includes the United States, Canada and the Nordic countries, has been pouring money and missiles into the Arctic as well as reopening and building bases there. This is bringing its Arctic military presence to the highest level since the 1991 fall of the Soviet Union.

U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Paul Zukunft delivered the 2017 State of the Coast Guard Address at the National Press Club Thursday. This was Adm. Zukunft's third State of the Coast Guard Address and he emphasized the service as a unique instrument of national security. First and foremost an armed service, the Coast Guard is the only branch of the U.S. armed forces that has broad law enforcement authorities and a portfolio of more than 60 bi-lateral agreements that extend around the globe, Zukunft said.

China will be able to project "substantial offensive military power" from artificial islands it has built in the South China Sea's disputed Spratly Islands within months, the director of U.S. national intelligence said. In a Feb. 23 letter to John McCain, chair of the U.S. "Based on the pace and scope of construction at these outposts, China will be able to deploy a range of offensive and defensive military capabilities and support increased PLAN and CCG presence beginning in 2016," Clapper said in the letter released this week, using acronyms for the Chinese navy and coastguard. "Once these facilities are completed by the end of 2016 or early 2017, China will have significant capacity to quickly project substantial offensive military power to the region," Clapper added.

The Coast Guard Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to the education and welfare of all Coast Guard members and their families, announced today that its 11th Annual Tribute to the United States Coast Guard in Our Nation’s Capital will take place on Wednesday, June 10, 2015 at the National Building Museum, Washington, D.C. The Honorable James R. Clapper, Director of National Intelligence and Admiral Paul F. Zukunft, Commandant of the Coast Guard will deliver keynote remarks. CNN’s Kyra Phillips, and Fox News’ John Roberts will emcee the event. The event is chaired by Coast Guard Foundation board members Admiral Thad Allen, USCG (Ret.) and Corrine Kosar. The seven living past commandants of the United States Coast Guard are honorary co-chairs of the event.

He underscored his forces' high level of preparedness to push back any possible threat to the nation. "The young naval forces are ready to confront any threat" and they will defeat the enemies in a humiliating way, Sayyari said. Pointing to the presence of the Iranian Navy in north of the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, the admiral stated that Iran was the first country to deploy warships in the Gulf of Aden to fight “maritime terrorism”. Iran is sending a “message of peace and friendship” to the world by dispatching warships to open seas. He added the presence of the Iranian Navy in open seas is “inspiring” for “oppressed” countries.

The Director of U.S. National Intelligence, James Clapper, has expressed his concern at the progress of China in maritime zones it shares with its neighbors, accused China of expanding its outposts in the South China Sea in an “aggressive” effort to exert sovereignty. Clapper voiced concern over land reclamation activities in the South China Sea that could further escalate tensions between China and its neighbors over disputed islands, especially with artificial islands being created as aerial platforms, The Associated Press reports. Beijing rejected the charges saying that China has shown restraint and a responsible attitude in the South China Sea. "Outsiders have no right to make groundless accusations," foreign ministry spokesperson Hong Lei said.

Vistronix has acquired the Agency Consulting Group (ACG). The McLean Group's Aerospace, Defense & Government Services (ADG) practice served as the exclusive mergers and acquisitions (M&A) advisor to ACG. Founded in 2004 and based in Columbia, MD, ACG provides technical solutions in the areas of cloud computing analytics, critical systems infrastructure and specialized mission solutions. ACG is a primary architect of the intelligence community’s migration of applications, software and infrastructure to cloud-based, virtual environments. ACG maintains one of the largest contingents of Citrix, VMWare, Linux and Solaris certified engineers within the intelligence community.

Today in U.S Naval History - August 4 1846 - Sailors and Marines from USS Congress capture Santa Barbara 1858 - First trans-Atlantic cable completed by USS Niagara and British ship Agamemnon 1944 - Fifth Fleet carrier task forces begin air attack against Iwo Jima and the Bonin Islands 1947 - Birthdate of the Medical Service Corps 1964 - The Navy and national intelligence sources report a North Venamese PT boat attack on USS Turner Joy and USS Maddox in the Tokin Gulf prompting Congress to pass the Tonkin Gulf Resolution on August 7, 1964. The attack was later disproven. For more information about naval history, visit the Naval History and Heritage Command website at history.navy.mil.

Crewmembers aboard Coast Guard Cutter Healy recently supported scientific research in the Arctic’s dynamic waters. As the crew supported vital scientific research, they were joined by a multitude of scientists and support staff from the National Intelligence University, U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Air Force, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and University of Alaska. Dr. Peter Leitner, a professor and faculty member at the National Intelligence University…

U.S. Naval War College (NWC) students participate in a presentation & discussion of unmanned robotic systems with ReconRobotics, Inc. & Hydroid, Inc. This event was part of the "Unmanned Systems and Conflict in the 21st Century" course at NWC, serving as an opportunity for future decision makers to gain exposure and expand their knowledge of unmanned technologies. "It's important to be aware of advancements we're making now because they will change the strategic and operational environment of which our warfighters will be engaged in…

December marked the 10th anniversary of the U.S. Coast Guard’s formal entry into the national intelligence community, although many had long perceived the Coast Guard as a de facto member. The Coast Guard began its long involvement with the work of intelligence in 1790. Tariffs imposed on goods imported to the United States, in order to raise revenue, caused lawless merchants to unload their cargoes at isolated locations to avoid paying the tariffs at customs houses in ports.

1846 - Sailors and Marines from USS Congress capture Santa Barbara 1858 - First trans-Atlantic cable completed by USS Niagara and British ship Agamemnon 1944 - Fifth Fleet carrier task forces begin air attack against Iwo Jima and the Bonin Islands 1947 - Birthdate of the Medical Service Corps 1964 - The Navy and national intelligence sources report a North Venamese PT boat attack on USS Turner Joy and USS Maddox in the Tokin Gulf prompting Congress to pass the Tonkin Gulf Resolution on 7 August 1964. The attack was later disproven.

1846 - Sailors and Marines from USS Congress capture Santa Barbara 1858 - First trans-Atlantic cable completed by USS Niagara and British ship Agamemnon 1944 - Fifth Fleet carrier task forces begin air attack against Iwo Jima and the Bonin Islands 1947 - Birthdate of the Medical Service Corps 1964 - The Navy and national intelligence sources report a North Venamese PT boat attack on USS Turner Joy and USS Maddox in the Tokin Gulf prompting Congress to pass the Tonkin Gulf Resolution on 7 August 1964. The attack was later disproven. (Source: Navy News Service)

The U.S. Coast Guard released video imagery March 4 of Commandant, Adm. Thad Allen delivering his State of the Coast Guard address here at the National Press Club, March 3. In his address, Allen outlined the service's goals and priorities for 2009, and addressed how demand for the Coast Guard has never been higher. As an armed service, Department of Homeland Security component agency, National Intelligence Community member and the Nation's lead representative in the International Maritime Organization…

The United States Coast Guard has named Frances Fragos-Townsend as its Director of Intelligence. In this position, Fragos-Townsend leads the service’s Intelligence Directorate, the Intelligence Coordination Center and act as program manager for the Coast Guard’s national intelligence effort. She is charged with enhancing inter-agency and maritime awareness in the war on terrorism. “The Coast Guard is widely respected by our intelligence, military and law enforcement partners for our multi-mission maritime capabilities,” said Fragos-Townsend. “Those partnerships and robust information sharing between agencies are key to our long term homeland security mission.” According to Fragos-Townsend…

The following is a statement, in its entirety, from Vice Adm. Thad W. Allen regarding his nomination to be commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, given before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. Washington - Good afternoon Mr. Chairman and distinguished members of the Committee. I am honored to be before you today and look forward to listening to your views and answering your questions. I am grateful for the confidence of President Bush in nominating me to be the 23rd Commandant of the United States Coast Guard. I can think of no greater honor and no better way to continue serving our Nation than through our Coast Guard, a Service whose embedded responsibilities impact every American.