The Senate confirmed retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Frank Klotz on Tuesday as the Department of Energy’s under secretary for nuclear security and administrator for the National Nuclear Security Administration, where he will oversee the management, maintenance, and security of the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz praised Klotz’s experience in the nuclear weapons enterprise, noting it makes him “uniquely suited to lead the NNSA,” according to an April 8 NNSA release. Moniz said Klotz takes over management of the nuclear stockpile at a critical point for the DOE. President Barack Obama nominated Klotz to take over the NNSA last August. He comes to the agency from a post at the Council on Foreign Relations. Klotz served in a range of senior positions prior to his appointment at NNSA, and was the former commander of Air Force Global Strike Command from 2009 to 2011, as well as former vice commander of Air Force Space Command and head of 20th Air Force. Klotz has deep experience in arms control as well, serving as the Director for nuclear policy and arms control on the National Security Council from 2001 to 2003. He also served as defense attaché at the US Embassy in Moscow.
Amid NATO’s continued push to ramp up air defenses in Eastern Europe, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall swung by seven allied countries to boost relations last week, including those on Russia’s and Ukraine’s doorstep.