Pentagon restructures management for chem-bio defense program

U.S. officials have approved a plan for a new management structure for the U.S. Chemical and Biological Defense Program, the Defense Department said Thursday.

Various items such as protective equipment, chemical and biological agent detectors, decontamination equipment and medical countermeasures are acquired through the program, which would see the streamlining of a number of management positions and the strengthening of accountability for different program elements under the new plan, according to a Pentagon release. The naming of a new joint program executive officer is also planned.

Dale Klein, assistant to the secretary of defense for nuclear, chemical and biological defense programs, and Anna Johnson-Winegar, deputy assistant to the secretary of defense for chemical and biological defense, will oversee the program.

The science and technology areas of the program and its financial management will be handled by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, the Defense Department said.