In Depth interviews – May 17

On the In Depth show blog, you can listen to the interviews, find more information about the guests on the show each day and links to additional resources.

This is the In Depth show blog. Here you can listen to the interviews, find more information about the guests on the show each day and links to additional resources.

Today’s guests:

Rep. Randy Forbes (R-Va.)

Backup oxygen systems are going into F-22 stealth fighter jets after the “60 Minutes” TV program focused on oxygen deprivation in the plane’s cockpits.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta ordered the installation of the backup systems and restricted some flights.

Rep. Randy Forbes (R-Va.), the chairman of the House Armed Services Readiness subcommittee, is a supporter of the F-22 program. In a recent editorial posted on his website Forbes wrote that U.S. air power is at risk “as current defense cuts threaten to do what no enemy can: end U. S. control of the skies.”

Forbes also wrote of the F-22: “Despite some serious problems over the past year, the F-22 remains the world’s most advanced air dominance fighter.” He supports Panetta’s order on the aircraft.


Kathleen MillerReporter, Bloomberg Government

The cost of prosthetics has almost doubled in the last four years, according to the Veterans Affairs Department.

To drive down the costs, the department is officially reclassifying prosthetics as “widgets,” to allow them to be purchased by contracting staff instead of medical personnel. But critics of the plan say it could delay their delivery to wounded service members and veterans.

Read the Bloomberg Government article (Subscription required)


Alan PallerDirector of Research, SANS Institute

Howard Schmidt announced he’s stepping down as President Barack Obama’s cybersecurity coordinator. Office of Management and Budget official Michael Daniel, who heads the National Security Division, has been named to succeed Schmidt as the White House cyber czar.

Alan Paller, the director of research at the SANS Institute, joins In Depth to discuss what Howard’s legacy will be.

This story is part of Federal News Radio’s daily Cybersecurity Update. For more cybersecurity news, click here.


Greg GarciaPrincipal, Garcia Cyber Partners

Greg Garcia, a principal at Garcia Cyber Partners, also discusses the coming departure of Howard Schmidt and the work that his replacement Michael Daniel has ahead of him.

Garcia is a former assistant secretary for Cyber Security and Communications at the Department of Homeland Security.

This story is part of Federal News Radio’s daily Cybersecurity Update. For more cybersecurity news, click here.


Also on the show:

Industry Chatter: VMware’s Aileen Black on virtualization

USPS moves ahead with closings, staff reductions

NASA takes one giant leap into commerical space flight

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