Edmund Zelnio, a researcher in the Air Force Research Lab’s Sensor Directorate is the winner of the 53rd annual DOD Distinguished Civilian Service award. Zelnio was cited for his hard work over a 32-year career in earning the award, the highest honor bestowed by DOD upon a career civilian, the Air Force said in a release Sept. 9. He has contributed to the successful deployment of new sensor and sensor-exploitation technologies in numerous Air Force and DOD weapon systems and his work in the field of synthetic aperture radar technology enabled DOD to find and prosecute targets previously impervious to attack due to weather and foliage concealment strategies, according to the release. Defense Secretary Robert Gates will present Zelnio the award at a Pentagon ceremony tentatively scheduled for Oct. 15.
Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III outlined Dec. 4 the vital importance of U.S. defense investment keeping pace with that of China before issuing a statement warning that such competition would suffer “irreparable” damage if Congress opts for a yearlong continuing resolution, a real possibility being discussed by lawmakers after…