March 17, 2014

TOP SECURITY OFFICIALS AT Y-12 REMOVED

By ExchangeMonitor

The unprecedented security breach at the Y-12 National Security Complex has led to the departure of top contractor officials at protective force contractor WSI-Oak Ridge and management and operating contractor B&W Y-12. NW&M Monitor has learned that WSI-Oak Ridge protective force General Manager Lee Brooks, WSI Director of Protective Force Operations Gary Brandon, and B&W Y-12 Vice President for Safeguards, Security and Emergency Services Butch Clements were removed from their positions in sweeping changes announced by Energy Secretary Steven Chu late Friday. Chu also said the guards involved in the incident have been suspended. WSI is in charge of the guards at the site, while B&W manages the technology and sensors that make up the site’s perimeter defenses. “The Department has no tolerance for security breaches at any of our sites, and I am committed to ensuring that those responsible will be held accountable,” Chu said in a statement.

WSI executive John Burleson, who previously served as WSI’s Oak Ridge general manager, is currently serving as the acting GM until a permanent replacement is named, which is expected early this week. The Department of Energy also brought in Pantex Deputy Manager Gen. Rodney Johnson to strengthen security of the site and “temporarily reassigned” a “relevant federal official” at Y-12. When asked which federal official had been reassigned, NNSA spokesman Steven Wyatt said that the agency would not comment on “any personnel moves or disciplinary actions” at the NNSA Production Office. As of Friday, Mary Helen Hitson was serving as the deputy assistant manager for safeguards and security at Y-12.

Last weekend, three peace activists managed to penetrate the highest levels of Y-12’s security and reached the Highly Enriched Uranium Materials Facility, vandalizing the facility before being arrested. The incident prompted B&W to temporarily shut down the site and drew the attention of White House officials, which prompted swift action from NNSA and DOE late last week, NW&M Monitor learned. In addition to an NNSA investigation into the incident, Chu also said that DOE’s Office of Health, Safety and Security is conducting its own investigation of the security breach. "I am committed to ensuring that we learn the appropriate lessons from this incident and apply those lessons across our complex,” Chu said. “I have directed NNSA and HSS to assess security at all of our sensitive sites to ensure we have the right security policies in place so all nuclear material remains safe and secure. Furthermore, the Department will further strengthen its program to continue independently testing our guard force to ensure they are performing their security function fully and completely.”

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