Jeffrey Johnson Named New NNSA Chief of Defense Nuclear Security

Marine Corps veteran Jeffrey Johnson has been named as the National Nuclear Security Administration’s chief of Defense Nuclear Security and Associate Administrator for Defense Nuclear Security, the agency said yesterday. Johnson previously served as the head of U.S. Marine Corps Civilian Law Enforcement, and according to the NNSA, he has broad experience protecting nuclear weapons, Navy nuclear propulsion and other “high value assets” from his activity duty and civilian tenure as a marine. “Jeffrey brings a wealth of experience to NNSA and is eminently qualified to take on the challenges of his new position,” NNSA Administrator Frank Klotz said in a statement. “I am pleased he will serve our nation in this new role, and I am confident that he will use his expertise to ensure that the security is maintained at all NNSA facilities.” Johnson is the first permanent Chief of Defense Nuclear Security at NNSA since Doug Fremont was removed after the security breach by elderly peace activists at the Y-12 National Security Complex in July of 2012. He replaces Doug Dearolph, who had been serving as the acting Chief of Defense Nuclear Security.