The Air Force Office of Special Investigations recently activated its first-ever Office of Procurement Fraud to consolidate and bolster its counter-fraud efforts. The office is located at JB Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C., according to OSI’s Nov. 20 release. “We have consolidated our procurement fraud mission under one centralized command-and-control element, here at Joint Base Bolling-Anacostia, in order to better streamline the investigative process from beginning to end,” said Brig. Gen. Kevin Jacobsen, OSI commander. The office “offers the Air Force a better means of ensuring sustainment of our existing fleet and facilities as well as proper acquisition of new equipment,” said Jacobson during the Oct. 17 activation ceremony. Since 2001, OSI fraud investigators have recovered nearly $1.9 billion for the Air Force, states the release. (Quantico report by James C. Dillard)
Lloyd Austin, President-elect Joe Biden’s pick to lead the Pentagon, spent his Senate confirmation hearing on Jan. 19 pressing his civilian bona fides to lawmakers, with some pledging opposition to the waiver Austin would need to become the nation’s first Black Defense Secretary. Austin spent 40 years in the military…