James Dawkins: Inside Savannah River; Tritium, Pits, and the Future of U.S. Nuclear Readiness

In this episode of NucleCast, host Adam Lowther welcomes retired Lieutenant General Jim Dawkins, now Executive Vice President and COO of Savannah River Nuclear Solutions. Together, they explore the pivotal role of the Savannah River Site in America’s nuclear enterprise—from its origins in the Manhattan Project to its current missions in tritium production and plutonium pit manufacturing.

Dawkins shares insights into the site's transformation from a Cold War-era bomb plant to a modern hub for national security and environmental stewardship. He breaks down the complexities of repurposing the MOX facility into the Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility (SRPPF), the only U.S. site slated to produce over 50 plutonium pits per year. The conversation also dives into the challenges of maintaining the nation’s sole tritium facility, the importance of skilled trades, and the need for sustained congressional support.

James (Jim) Dawkins is the Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer of Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC (SRNS). He is responsible for safe execution of all management and operating functions for National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and Department of Energy (DOE) Environmental Management Operations at the DOE’s Savannah River Site, including the Site’s tritium operations, the Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility, the Site’s nuclear material operations, and landlord services.

Before joining SRNS, he served as the Vice President of Nuclear Operations at HII’s Nuclear and Environmental Services Group where he provided guidance, direction and support to HII’s management and operations project teams at NNSA national laboratories and DOE legacy cleanup sites. He also served on several NNSA laboratory advisory committees and boards. Dawkins served in the Air Force for 34 years in a variety of operational and executive staff assignments, retiring as a Lieutenant General. He was an Air Force pilot with combat missions

in fighter, reconnaissance and bomber aircraft. His last duty assignment was as lead of the Air Force’s nuclear weapons enterprise as the Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration (AF/A10). During this assignment, he collaborated closely with NNSA Headquarters and the design and production agencies, approved and accepted the B61-12 into the Air Force stockpile and brokered requirements for the Air Force’s next generation of nuclear weapons, the W80-4 and W87-1.

Dawkins has executive experience gained within the Department of Defense, DOE (NNSA Principal Assistant Deputy Administrator for Military Application) and the National Security Council as Director of Strategic Capabilities Policy, where he developed nuclear weapons policy for the

president. He has forged national security policy for three presidents and has led organizations of over 21,000 personnel.

Socials:

• Follow on Twitter at @NucleCast
• Follow on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/nuclecastpodcast
• Subscribe RSS Feed: https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/
• Rate: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nuclecast/id1644921278
• Email comments and topic/guest suggestions to [e-mail]