DOD announces reorg of C3I office

The Defense Department today announced a restructuring of its command, control, communications and intelligence office that streamlines oversight functions, but not as dramatically as once expected.

More than half a year in the works, the reorganization gives the C3I office the new responsibility of overseeing the Defense Airborne Reconnaissance program, space-related matters and defense aspects of critical infrastructure protection, according to DOD.The new structure does not split off oversight of intelligence operations, as originally proposed by Defense Secretary William Cohen's Defense Reform Initiative in November. The Pentagon backed off that proposal earlier this year because of concern that the necessary legislative changes would take too long to make.

DOD also confirmed that the assistant secretary of Defense for C3I—- a position currently held by Arthur L. Money—- will serve as the chief information officer. ASD/C3I will be supported by a principal deputy and by deputy assistant secretaries of Defense: DASD for intelligence; security and information operations; C3I surveillance and reconnaissance and space systems; and for CIO policy and implementation.