DEFENSE PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION PLAN APPROVED
April 24, 2003

Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics (AT&L;) Pete Aldridge today approved a detailed plan to implement a new management structure for the Chemical and Biological Defense Program. Programmatic responsibilities for the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Staff, Army, Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and a newly named joint program executive officer are included in the new plan.

The Chemical and Biological Defense Program provides the science and technology base, product development, and procurement for a range of items such as protective equipment, chemical and biological agent detectors, decontamination equipment and medical countermeasures. The new plan streamlines management structures and strengthens accountability for different elements of the program. The plan also calls for the Assistant Secretary of the Army (AT&L;) Claude Bolton to report to Aldridge as the defense acquisition executive for program implementation. The joint program executive officer will be Army Brig. Gen. Stephen V. Reeves, who will report to Bolton.

Office of the Secretary of Defense staff program oversight will be accomplished by the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Defense Programs Dale Klein and Deputy Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Chemical and Biological Defense Anna Johnson-Winegar. Requirements issues will be the responsibility of the Joint Staff’s Joint Requirements Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense, led by Air Force Brig. Gen. Stephen M. Goldfein. DTRA will manage the science and technology portion of the program and will perform program financial management functions.