Section I - INTELLIGENCE HIGHLIGHTS

Section III - COMMENTARY

How a Republican Congressman Accidentally Disclosed a Secret Intelligence Debate.  On Monday, when the House Intelligence Committee held its first public hearing about Russian involvement in the US Presidential election, Republican members were almost completely focussed on leaks.

In his opening statement, Devin Nunes, the chairman of the committee, made clear how important the issue was to the GOP. "Who has leaked classified information?" he asked. "We aim to determine who has leaked or facilitated leaks of classified information so that these individuals can be brought to justice."

Republicans were especially agitated about whether any former Obama Administration officials leaked information from classified transcripts of conversations between Michael Flynn, President Trump's former national-security adviser, and Sergey Kislyak, the Russian Ambassador to the United States, during the Presidential transition. At one point, Trey Gowdy, the Republican from South Carolina best known for his investigation of Benghazi, pressed James Comey, the FBI director, on whether reporters might be jailed for publishing classified information.

"Director Comey, you and I were discussing the felonious dissemination of classified material during the last round," he said. "Is there an exception in the law for current or former US officials who request anonymity?" Comey said that there was not, and Gowdy asked, "Is there an exception in the law for reporters who want to break a story?" (To his credit, Comey said, "That's a harder question.")  [Read More:  Lizza/newyorker/24March2017]

It's Time for a Select Committee on Russia (Also, We Told You So).  A few weeks ago, we argued for the need for the formation of a new congressional Select Committee to investigate the Russia Connection. Developments since the publication of that piece have only served to strengthen our argument. Others are making the same case. Yesterday, Senator John McCain stressed that the need for the formation of a bipartisan select committee is now a "requirement." Likewise, Stand Up Republic, founded by Evan McMullin and Mindy Finn, has called on Congress to do the same.

It is worth briefly reviewing the need for the new select committee and the ways in which the latest developments heighten that need, as well as our arguments as to why a select committee has advantages over an independent bipartisan commission - the model preferred by many Trump critics.

As we noted previously, there are multiple congressional inquiries related to questions of Trump, Russia, and the 2016 election. The principal inquiry is that of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, with the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence investigation taking second place. While those investigations have a role and should continue, we noted three reasons why those inquiries were insufficient.

First, the conduct of the White House and the Republican leadership of both the SSCI and HPSCI have undermined perceptions of legitimacy and independence. When we wrote our piece, we were responding to revelations that both the SSCI and HPSCI Chairman had been "willing to act at the direction of White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer to privately help counter an alarming New York Times story reporting repeated contacts between Trump campaign officials and Russian intelligence during the elections." SSCI Chairman Burr did so off the record, while HPSCI Chair Devin Nunes had done so publicly. Burr has largely stayed out of headlines since the kerfuffle. But Nunes's conduct yesterday effectively obliterates any notion of a credible bipartisan inquiry. This is no longer merely an appearance problem, if that's what it was. It's now a substantive problem. The Chairman of the HPSCI isn't playing straight. There's no reason for anyone to have confidence in the process he's running.  [Read More:  Hennessey,Wittes/lawfareblog/23March2017]

Cautionary Notes on a Select Committee for the Russia Matter.  I agree with Susan and Ben that an independent national commission to investigate the Russia matter is, at this time, unrealistic. But I'm unconvinced by their argument that a select congressional committee - a specially formed committee in one or both houses of Congress, with special staffing and resources - would be an improvement on the three committees now investigating the matter. I'm not completely unconvinced, but it is perhaps worth fleshing out counterarguments to their case for a select committee.

The best argument for a select committee is the inappropriate-bordering-on-bizarre behavior last week (and earlier) of HPSCI Chairman Devin Nunes. Nunes has long been in the bag for President Trump. His terrible judgment and his close connection with Trump and some of the actors under investigation has practically destroyed the credibility of the investigation that his committee, under his "leadership," is conducting on the Russia matter. If the Republicans were smart they would remove Nunes from HPSCI leadership, and fast.

But there are also two other congressional investigations underway. The SSCI Committee, Ben and Susan acknowledge, once viewed "the question of Russian interference in the US election and its ties to campaign figures to be a non-partisan issue related to safeguarding fundamental democracy." They add that "the SSCI had many of the necessary elements for a successful investigation: Much of the subject matter is already within the committee's ordinary oversight jurisdiction, and members and staff are cleared to receive highly-classified materials - which is critical for an investigation that involves sensitive ongoing operations." Moreover, as a committee, the SSCI has until recently acted in a way that "seemed to indicate not only that a serious and thorough investigation was underway, but also that the Committee was prepared to be adversarial with respect to the Trump Administration." All true, and all good.

The main knock against the SSCI investigation is that the Committee Chairman, Richard Burr, spoke to news organizations at the White House's request to dispute reports of multiple contacts between the Trump campaign and Russian intelligence operatives. That was a stupid thing to do, and was also a sin Nunes committed. Considered alone it does diminish the credibility of the SSCI investigation. But Burr's overall conduct has been nothing like Nunes' behavior, especially his press conference disclosing to the world (and prior to disclosing to his HPSCI colleagues) that he had received information--possibly from the Trump White House--indicating that the Trump transition team conversations had been incidentally collected and named in intelligence reports. In light of the many fruitful and independent actions that SCCI has taken to date, especially in light of the downsides to a select committee investigation (noted below), Burr has not destroyed the possibility and value of a useful, credible and independent SSCI investigation. (Further confirmation of this conclusion comes from SSCI's prior "formal requests to more than a dozen organizations, agencies and individuals, asking them to preserve all materials related to a probe the panel is conducting on Russian interference in the 2016 election and related issues," and from this morning's news that SSCI is seeking "to question Jared Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law...about meetings he arranged with the Russian ambassador, Sergey I. Kislyak," including "a previously unreported sit-down with the head of Russia's state-owned development bank.")  [Read More:  Goldsmith/lawfareblog/27March2017]

The 'Muslim Laptop Ban':  Real Intelligence or Plain Stupidity?  Let us get a sense of perspective on what has been dubbed the "Muslim laptop ban."

Unlike President Donald Trump's attempts (so far stymied by the US courts) to impose total travel bans on some Muslim-majority countries in the Middle East and North Africa, this is only about the use of certain kinds of electronic equipment on trans-Atlantic flights.

It does not impede free travel, it does not split families apart, it does not lead to humiliation, detention and deportation at US airports. The only right of which a trans-Atlantic traveler is deprived is the right to watch your own movies, or play games, or conveniently catch up on work or emails, while in flight.

You might argue that 13 hours of in-flight movies constitutes cruel and unnatural punishment, though I doubt you would get very far in the human rights courts. But the bafflement and anger that greeted the announcements, especially from the Gulf, tells us that it is a matter that goes far beyond in-flight entertainment.  [Read More:  Kane/arabnews/22March2017]

Section IV - Obituaries

Obituaries

Norm Gardner.  Norm Gardner died Sunday evening, 26 March 2017, at his home in Reston after a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis and heart disease.  Norm had just returned from a weekend in his hometown of East Hampton, Ct, where a couple of hundred friends and relatives had gathered to honor him by showing how much they loved and admired him.  It was a wonderful tribute and though it was tiring, he would not have missed it for the the world.
Funeral/Memorial Service details are pending.

Andre LeGallo. As announced in the Weekly Notes #11-17 (14 March) Andre LeGallo, 78, former CIA Senior Intelligence Officer, Business Executive, Stanford Hoover Fellow, Novelist, and AFIO Chapter President, died peacefully in his sleep at home in Northern California following an eight year battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). 
Andre was born in Paris, France and emigrated to the US after WW II at the age of 11.  He proudly became a US citizen.  Andre graduated from Hawthorne High School, Lehigh University and served as an Infantry and Intelligence Officer in the US Army.  He also attended Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, the National War College, the Ecole Nationale d'Administration in Paris and Thunderbird University.  Fluent in French, Andre was also skilled in Arabic and Romanian. No online obit has been released.

Section V - Events

AFIO EDUCATIONAL EVENTS IN COMING TWO MONTHS....

Thursday, 30 March 2017, 12:30 - 2 pm - Los Angeles, CA - AFIO LA Chapter hosts Phil Pressel on "The Hexagon KH-9 Spy Satellite Program."

AFIO LA hosts guest speaker Phil Pressel will be speaking on the subject of the Hexagon KH-9 spy satellite program. Phil worked for 30 years for the Perkin-Elmer Corporation in Connecticut and was responsible for the design of the Hexagon's stereo cameras. It was the last film based spy satellite. The Hexagon satellite was acknowledged to have been an invaluable asset providing intelligence information for security agencies and the military. It was responsible for President Nixon signing the SALT treaty and allowed President Reagan to say, "trust but verify" what the Russians were doing. The program was declassified by the NRO in 2011.
Phil Pressel retired after 30 years working for the Perkin Elmer Corporation in Danbury, Connecticut (now United Technologies Corporation). He is still doing consulting work. He was the project engineer in charge of the design of the formerly top secret Hexagon KH-9 cameras. He and his wife Pat live in San Diego and keep busy traveling, writing, consulting and doing volunteer work. He is a Holocaust survivor and describes his and his parents wartime escape from the Nazis living in hiding in several cities in France in his first book "They Are Still Alive." During 1944 he was hidden and sheltered by a kind and courageous Catholic family in a small village that was a headquarters for the French underground.
Location: LAPD-ARTC 5651 W Manchester Ave, L.A. CA 90045 ROOM 1G
To RSVP, email Vince at AFIO_LA@yahoo.com.

Wednesday, 5 April 2017, 7 p.m. - Atlanta, GA - AFIO-Atlanta Chapter and the Harvard Club Host Dinner & Drinks with a Spy: Jack Barsky, Former KGB.

The AFIO-Atlanta Chapter is co-sponsoring with the Harvard Club of Atlanta a "Dinner & Drinks with a Spy": the spy in question is Jack Barsky, former KGB.
Jack Barsky―who could have stepped right out of the FX Network series The Americans (on Russian illegals, which he was)―has published a book being released today: Deep Undercover: My Secret Life and Tangled Allegiances as a KGB Spy in America. Barsky will provide a presentation, entertain questions, and have dinner with us.
A fine review of Barsky's book should whet your appetite to attend. It is by AFIO member/GA Tech Professor Kristie Macrakis and at this link.
Location: Manuel's Tavern, 602 N Highland Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307; (404) 525-3447 (tavern).
Fee: Entrance free, buy your own dinner/drinks.
RSVP macrakis@gatech.edu to assure space.

5 April 2017 (Wednesday), 11:30 am - San Francisco, CA - The AFIO San Francisco Chapter hosts Brigadier General Roderick Macdonald on "The Falklands Conflict 35 Years On."

Brig Gen Roderick "Rod" Macdonald discusses the "The Falklands Conflict 35 years On." at this April meeting of the AFIO "Andre LeGallo" San Francisco Chapter. The Falklands War from 2April to 14 June 1982 was the largest air sea battle since World War II. British forces launched the longest amphibious operation in history, sailing 8,000 miles to retake the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic, invaded and occupied illegally by over 10,000 Argentine soldiers and Marines. Retired British Army Brigadier General Roderick Macdonald will give a personal overview of the campaign.
WHERE: Basque Cultural Center, 599 Railroad Ave, South San Francisco, CA 94080. 11:30AM no host cocktail; meeting and luncheon at noon.
RSVP: Eventbrite registration link is here. Reservation and pre-payment is required before 26 March 2017. The venue cannot accommodate walk-ins. Contact Mariko Kawaguchi, Board Secretary at afiosf@aol.com or Mariko Kawaguchi, c/o AFIO, PO Box 117578, Burlingame, CA 94011 with your questions.

Tuesday, 11 April 2017, noon - MacDill AFB - The Florida Suncoast AFIO Chapter hosts Dr. Mudhafar Amin on "Iraqi and Regional Affairs from view of a former member of Iraq's Foreign Service."

Dr. Mudhafar A. Amin will be offering insights on Iraqi and regional affairs from his perspective as a history and political science scholar and former senior member of Iraq's Foreign Service. We will also be honoring several WWII veterans living in Tampa Bay as well as holding elections for Chapter officers.
Location: MacDill AFB Surf's Edge Club, 7315 Bayshore Boulevard, MacDill AFB, FL 33621.
Fee: $20, payable at the door by cash or check, for lunch.
RSVP or more info: Chapter Secretary michaels@suncoastafio.org for more information or to make a reservation. Deadline: Tuesday, 4 April 2017.

Thursday, 20 April 2017, 6:30 PM - Michigan - The AFIO Michigan Chapter hosts SSA David A. Fluitt, FBI, discussing counterintelligence and counterproliferation issues.

The AFIO "Johnny Micheal Spann" Memorial Chapter hosts David A. Fluitt Counterintelligence Supervisory Special Agent (SSA) with the Detroit FBI and also serves as the counterintelligence and counterproliferation Program Coordinator within the state of Michigan. Speaker: David Fluitt, Counterintelligence Supervisory Special Agent (SSA) with the Detroit FBI Location: Contact us for information on meeting location Send inquiries to afio.secretary@afiomichigan.org or visit their website at www.afiomichigan.org.

Monday, 1 May 2017, 6 pm - New York, NY - The NY Metro Chapter Meeting features Dr. Robert Jervis on "Can We Do Intelligence Analysis Better? A View From A Complex Systems and 'Black Swan' Expert."

Robert Jervis, PhD is Stevenson Professor of International Affairs at Columbia University, and was the recipient of the 1990 University of Louisville Grawemeyer Award for "Ideas Improving World Order." He is an expert on the complexities of systems, politics, intelligence, and human nature and competing values. The ideal speaker for the chapter (and the country) at this time. So you will not want to miss this presentation.
Jervis held appointments at the University of California at Los Angeles and Harvard University. In 2000-2001, he served as President of the American Political Science Association. Professor Jervis is co-editor of the "Cornell Studies in Security Affairs," a series published by Cornell University Press, and a member of numerous editorial review boards for scholarly journals. His publications include Perception and Misperception in International Politics, The Meaning of the Nuclear Revolution, System Effects: Complexity in Political and Social Life, American Foreign Policy in a New Era, and Why Intelligence Fails: Lessons from the Fall of the Shah and Iraqi WMD, and several edited volumes and numerous articles in scholarly journals.
Location: Society of Illustrators, 128 E 63rd St, New York, NY 10065.
COST: $50/person. Payment at the door only. Cash or check. Full dinner, cash bar.
REGISTRATION strongly suggested, not required. Phone Jerry Goodwin 646-717-3776 or Email afiometro@gmail.com.

Friday, 12 May 2017 - Tysons Corner, VA - AFIO National Spring Luncheon features NYTimes Washington Correspondent David Sanger on "Terrorism, Secret Wars, Nuclear Proliferation, and the Use of American Power," and Author Eva Dillon on "Living Life Undercover in a CIA Family"

AFIO National Spring Luncheon features David E. Sanger, Chief Washington Correspondent for the New York Times, speaking on "Terrorism, Secret Wars, Nuclear Proliferation, and the Use of American Power." His address starts at 1 p.m. The 11 a.m. speaker is Eva Dillon, author and magazine publisher, on Spies in the Family: An American Spymaster, His Russian Crown Jewel, and the Friendship That Helped End the Cold War, a book she has just published.
Event location the Crowne Plaza (soon to be renamed DoubleTree-Hilton), Tysons Corner, VA, at 1960 Chain Bridge Rd, McLean, VA 22102.
Registration is here. Do so now to assure seating.

13 May 2017, 11:30 am - Patrick AFB, FL - AFIO Satellite Florida Chapter meets. Speaker TBA

The Florida Satellite Chapter of AFIO meets for a social hour at 11:30 to 12:15 - and then enjoys lunch at 12:15 pm onwards. A speaker TBA. Greet old, new members and guests (limited cash bar - honor system). Where: The Tides, 1001 N. Hwy A1A, BLDG #967, Patrick AFB, FL 32925 For more information visit their website here. RSVP here.

HOLD THE DATE - 28 - 29 September 2017 - Tysons Corner, VA - AFIO's 2017 National Intelligence Symposium

Arrive Wednesday evening, 27 September to overnight at the hotel to be ready early Thursday, 28 September, for coach service to NGA for all day conference including visit to their new museum. Welcome by NGA Director Robert Cardillo. Friday activities TBA. Friday evening is our "Spies in Black Ties" banquet.
Hotel: DoubleTree-Hilton, Tysons Corner, VA [formerly the Crowne Plaza], at 1960 Chain Bridge Rd, McLean, VA 22102. Details, event registration and hotel room registration links to be sent to all current members in coming weeks. Early phone-only room registrations can be made at 1-877-865-1877 at $119/nite.

Other Upcoming Events

Wednesday, 29 March 2017, 10am - 1pm - Annapolis Junction, MD - Stephen Budiansky discusses A New Perspective on NSA's Covert Activities at this NCMF spring program

Please join National Cryptologic Museum Foundation friends and colleagues welcoming Stephen Budiansky acclaimed author, journalist, and historian of cryptology, speaking on "A New Perspective on NSA's Covert Activities."
A book signing of Mr. Budiansky's book Code Warriors: NSA's Codebreakers and the Secret Intelligence War Against the Soviet Union follows his presentation and lunch follows that at noon.
Mr. Budiansky will speak about his latest book (noted above) that draws on an array of recently declassified documents to explore the NSA's long SIGINT struggle against the Soviets, and traces the historical forces behind the intelligence controversies making headlines today. Mr. Budiansky is the author of numerous books of military and intelligence history, science and biography including Battle of Wits: The Complete Story of Codebreaking in World War II and Blackett's War. He is the former foreign editor and deputy editor of US News & World Report, and former Washington editor of the scientific journal Nature, and a regular contributor to the Wall Street Journal's book review pages. You will not want to miss this program that draws on an array of recently declassified documents to explore the NSA's long SIGINT struggle against the Soviets and to trace the historical forces behind the intelligence controversies making headlines today.
Where: CACI, Inc. located at 2720 Technology Drive, Annapolis Junction, MD 20701, Tel 301-575-3200. Directions and Map here. Click "directions" to get driving guidance.
RSVP NOW: register online here or mail registration fee of $20 (members) or $50 (guests, includes one-year membership) to NCMF, PO Box 1682, Fort George G. Meade, MD 20755-9998. Please register prior to 23 March to ensure space available.

Wednesday, 29 March 2017, 6:45pm-8:15pm - Washington, DC - Deep Undercover with Jack Barsky - at S. Dillon Ripley Center.

What happens when a Soviet spy decides his American life is the best fit? Join former KGB spy, Jack Barsky, and International Spy Museum Curator and Historian Dr. Vince Houghton, for a discussion of Barsky's double life as an American businessman who was really an East German spy for the Soviets in the 1980s. Barksy's new book Deep Undercover: My Secret Life & Tangled Allegiances as a KGB Spy in America will be available for sale and signing after the talk. This event is co-sponsored by the Smithsonian Associates and will be held at the Smithsonian Institution (S. Dillon Ripley Center, 1100 Jefferson Drive SW). Tickets for the general public: $30, tickets for Spy Museum Inner Circle Members: $20. Visit www.spymuseum.org.

Thursday, 30 March 2017, 1-4pm - Washington, DC - Beware of the Predator: In-Store Book Signing with Warren D. Holston - at the International Spy Museum.

Meet at the Spy Museum bookstore and meet author/career CIA Technical Operations officer, Warren D. Holston, and Intel analyst/contributing author, Dave White. Holston worked throughout the IC, DOD, and defense industry for more than 30 years and was awarded the CIA's Intelligence Commendation Medal and the Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal. White worked for the USG in a broad range of roles and missions within the Intelligence and Defense Communities for almost 30 years, including serving as a Deputy Senior Operations Officer and Identity Intelligence Analyst at the NCTC and as a biometrics technology consultant in the IC. Their latest book, Beware The Predator, is an easy-to-read guide for anyone who wants to raise their security awareness and defensive posture. This book will help you understand how to protect yourself, your family and business from criminal predators, corporate intrusion, and State sponsored spying. Whether you are a corporate or government executive, a high-net-worth individual, or someone simply concerned about identity theft and personal safety, you should be aware of the vulnerabilities to your personal data and predatory attacks against your assets and relationships. Event is free. Visit www.spymuseum.org.

Thursday, 30 March 2017, 6:30 p.m. - Washington, DC - The Mysterious Disappearance of Jim Thompson, "The Silk King of Thailand" - at the Textile Museum

When Jim Thompson vanished 50 years ago, he was the best-known American in Thailand. Rumors still swirl around his disappearance. Thompson had set up the Bangkok OSS office and later served as a CIA asset in Thailand, but it was his beautiful Thai silk that made him famous. He revitalized the industry, amassed a huge art collection, and built a magnificent house from traditional Thai homes to showcase his precious objects. So what could have happened in March of 1967, when he went for a short walk in the high jungles of Malaysia? Why were the CIA, DOS, US Army, and FBI involved in the massive search? Join Dr. Llewellyn Toulmin, the co-founder of Missing Aircraft Search Team, as he analyzes the case from a scientific search and rescue point of view, discusses Thompson's CIA connections, and suggests a solution to this 50-year-old famous mystery.

Tickets: $10. Contact Shana Oltmans at soltmans@spymuseum.org for tickets.

30 March - 1 April 2017 - Washington, DC - Joint Conference on "Creating and Challenging the Transatlantic Intelligence Community"

The Woodrow Wilson Center, the German Historical Institute, and the International Intelligence History Association are delighted to invite you to the jointly organized conference on "Creating and Challenging the Transatlantic Intelligence Community".

Please register for the conference by email to the IIHA Executive Director at exec_director@intelligence-history.org before 23 March 2017.
The conference fee is 150 EUR / 165 US-Dollar, 110 EUR / 120 US-Dollar for IIHA members and 75 EUR / 80 US-Dollar for students.
This includes dinners on Thursday and Friday as well as coffee breaks during the conference and a snack lunch on Saturday.
Full list of Speakers and Tentative Schedule here.

Thursday, 13 April 2017, noon - 2 pm - AVM Peter Alan Clement CSC, Head Australian Defence Staff on Australian Contribution to the Fight Against Terrorism

The Washington Sub-Branch of the Returned & Services League of Australia luncheon at the Australian Embassy features AVM Peter Alan Clements CSC, Head Australian Defence Staff – Washington, discussing the Gloster Meteor and the Australian contribution to the fight against terrorism.
Air Commodore Clements operational deployments include Chief of Staff of the National Command Headquarters for Operation SLIPPER in 2002 and air operations Battle Director of the Middle East area in the USAF CAOC (Al Udeid) in the first half of 2010. On promotion to Air Commodore in October of 2011 he was posted to Director General Force Structure Review. He was appointed as the Commandant of the Australian Defence Force Academy in December 2013 finishing in December 2016. For his achievements in this role he was awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross in the 2016 Queen's Birthday Honours List. He was promoted to Air Vice Marshal on 06 January 2017 and took up his current role as Head Australian Defence Staff on 13 January 2017.
Where: Amenities Room, Embassy of Australia, 1601 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036
Charge - $15, including buffet lunch and sodas. Alcoholic beverages- $2 each. Attire: Business casual.
RSVP by noon on Wednesday, 12 April 2017 to David Ward at 202-352-8550 or via e-mail to dmward1973@gmail.com NOTE: Valid photo ID required. Parking: While there is no parking at the Embassy, paid, off street parking is available behind and under the Airline Pilots Association- 17th and Mass, and at 15th and Mass (1240 15th St). On street two hour metered parking also available.

Thursday, 4 May 2017, noon - 2 pm - CWO(4) James Stejskal USA Rtd., discusses Special Forces Berlin: Clandestine Cold War Operations of the US Army's Elite, 1956–1990 at the Australian Embassy

The Washington Sub-Branch of the Returned & Services League of Australia luncheon at the Australian Embassy features CWO (4) James Stejskal USA Rtd., discussing his new book: Special Forces Berlin: Clandestine Cold War Operations of the US Army's Elite, 1956–1990.
James Stejskal hails from the Great Plains of Nebraska. After a short stint at the University of Nebraska he enlisted in the US Army. First training as an airborne infantryman and serving with the 82nd Airborne, he then qualified for Special Forces and successfully completed the arduous "Q" Course to win his "Green Beret." He served with US Army Special Forces in many "interesting places" worldwide, including Germany, the Balkans, the Middle East, and Africa before retiring as a Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CWO4) after 23 years. But the adventure was only just starting... He then worked as a security consultant for a US NGO in central Africa during the Rwandan insurgency and second Congo War. In the last century, he was recruited by CIS and served as a senior case officer in Africa, Europe, and the Far East before retiring again. He is now a military historian
Where –Amenities Room, Embassy of Australia, 1601 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036
Charge - $15, including buffet lunch and sodas. Alcoholic beverages- $2 each. Attire: Business casual.
RSVP by noon on Wednesday, 26 April 2017 to David Ward at 202-352-8550 or via e-mail to dmward1973@gmail.com NOTE: Valid photo ID required. Parking: While there is no parking at the Embassy, paid, off street parking is available behind and under the Airline Pilots Association- 17th and Mass, and, at 15th and Mass (1240 15th St). On street two hour metered parking also available.

Thursday, 4 May 2017, 7 pm - Washington, DC - 2017 Night of Heroes Gala - PenFed Foundation

You are cordially invited to join the PenFed Foundation, our partners and friends, Thursday, 4 May 2017, as we honor those who lead the way in supporting our military and veterans. All proceeds benefit the PenFed Foundation, helping members of the military secure the financial future they deserve.
Location: Trump' International Hotel, 1100 Pennsylvania Ave, Washington, DC
VIP Sponsor Reception - 5:30 pm; General Reception - 6:00 pm; Dinner - 7:00 pm Black Tie
Please respond by 21 April 2017.
For more information and to RSVP online, do so here.

Thursday, 25 May 2017 10 am - 11:30 am - Fort Meade, MD - National Cryptologic Museum's Schorreck Lecture: "Codebreaking and the Battle of Midway" with Author/Historian Elliot Carlson

2017 Henry F. Schorreck Lecture Speaker Series features Elliot Carlson, author of the celebrated biography of CMDR Joseph Rochefort (cryptologic hero of the Battle of Midway) - Joe Rochefort's War: The Odyssey of the Codebreaker Who Outwitted Yamamoto at Midway. Carlson's talk will be "Codebreaking and the Battle of Midway: When Cryptanalysis Came of Age." More about Carlson's book is here.

On 3-7 June 1942, the US defeated Japan in the Battle of Midway, one of the most decisive battles in world history. The battle regained the initiative in the Pacific for the US after its setback at Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941 while placing Japan on the strategic defensive from which it never fully recovered. On the 75th Anniversary of this US naval victory, Carlson discusses the pivotal role that intelligence played in it. In particular, the breaking of JN-25, the Japanese Imperial Fleet's operational code, by codebreakers at Station Hypo in Hawaii led by CMDR Joseph Rochefort USN.
Carlson holds degrees from Stanford University (MA) and the University of Oregon (BS); he lives with his wife in Silver Spring, MD.

RSVP: Advaned registration required since this popular NCM Schorreck Lecture Series always has a full house. So, to not lose a spot, email history@nsa.gov and/or gjnedve@nsa.gov and provide the number of seats you will need. They will confirm your reservations and answer any questions.
Event location: National Cryptologic Museum: 9900 Colony Seven Rd, Fort Meade, MD. Directions here.

4 - 7 June 2017 - San Antonio, TX - USGIF GEOINT 2017 Symposium theme is: "Advancing Capabilities to Meet Emerging Threats"

The always impressive US Geospatial-Intelligence Foundation (USGIF) is offering more than 25 training and professional development sessions at their GEOINT 2017 Symposium on "Advancing Capabilities to Meet Emerging Threats" being held in beautiful San Antonio, TX. Monday, June 5 through Wednesday, June 7 are a variety of training sessions running two hours each. Attendees receive 0.2 Continuing Education Units per qualified session. Expand your knowledge on a familiar topic or learn a new one in one of the hottest, most promising and useful fields in the Intelligence Community. Sessions include: Hacking for Defense: Solving National Security Problems; 3D Terrain Modeling; Analytics for Small Sat Systems; Recent Advances in Deep Learning Cognitive Social Media Analytics Framework; Open Geospatial Machine Learning; Cyber Attack and Defense Wargame with IT, Industrial, and GEOINT Context; And much more.
Location: Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, San Antonio, TX.
RSVP ASAP: Agenda and other information here.

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