News and reports from the Department of Defense, DOD.

From October 13 to 16, 2024, Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro led the United States delegation at the XVI Conference of Defense Ministers of the Americas (CDMA) in Mendoza, Argentina. The delegation included senior officials from the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, as well as representatives from U.S. Southern Command and U.S. Northern Command.

The Department of Defense has announced a new package of security assistance for Ukraine, marking the sixty-seventh tranche of equipment provided by the Biden Administration since August 2021. This latest Presidential Drawdown Authority package is valued at approximately $425 million and aims to address Ukraine's critical security and defense needs.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III held a discussion with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant on October 16, focusing on Israel's operations in Lebanon and regional security issues. Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the details of the conversation.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III is set to embark on a trip to Brussels, Belgium, from October 16-18, 2024. The visit will include participation in several multilateral meetings such as the NATO Defense Ministerial and the Ministerial of the force contributing members of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS (D-ISIS). These meetings aim to strengthen NATO's collective defense posture, adapt the D-ISIS Coalition to evolving threats from ISIS globally, and enhance military support for Ukraine.

The Department of Defense has announced significant progress in reviewing the military records of service members affected by the now-repealed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III highlighted that the department has taken proactive measures to address past injustices experienced by LGBTQ+ troops.

Yesterday, October 14, the United States began deploying an advance team of military personnel and initial components necessary to operate the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery in Israel. This information was shared by Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder.

The Department of Defense's Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation has released its Fiscal Year 2023 report on defense spending by state. The document aims to assist states and communities in understanding the economic impact of defense procurement, personnel, and grant expenditures.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia, Laura Updegrove, has concluded her visit to Cambodia. The trip marked the first U.S.-Cambodia Defense Policy Dialogue since 2019. This dialogue was part of a series of meetings with Cambodian defense and foreign policy officials.

The United States and Qatar conducted the 16th U.S.-Qatar Military Consultative Commission (MCC) at the Pentagon on October 15, 2024. The meeting was co-chaired by Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East, Daniel B. Shapiro, and Qatar Defense Attaché to the United States, Major General Ali Al-Kuwari.

On October 11, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III held two separate calls with Mexican defense officials. He spoke with General Ricardo Trevilla Trejo, the Secretary of National Defense, and Admiral Raymundo Morales Ángeles, the Secretary of the Navy.

The Pentagon has been observing the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) military exercise, JOINT SWORD 2024B, near Taiwan. The operation has been described as "irresponsible, disproportionate, and destabilizing" by Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder. He noted that Taiwan's president traditionally delivers a domestic-focused address on October 10th, which usually elicits little reaction from China. However, this year, China chose to conduct provocative military actions.

At the direction of President Biden, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has authorized the deployment of a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery and associated U.S. military personnel to Israel. This decision comes in response to Iran's attacks against Israel on April 13 and October 1. The THAAD system is intended to enhance Israel's air defense capabilities.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III held a conversation with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant on October 13. The discussion was prompted by a recent drone attack from Lebanese Hizballah, which resulted in the deaths of Israeli Defense Forces soldiers. Secretary Austin expressed his condolences and reiterated the United States' strong commitment to Israel's security.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III held a conversation with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant on October 12, expressing concern over reports of Israeli forces firing on UN peacekeeping positions in Lebanon and the reported death of two Lebanese soldiers. According to Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Austin emphasized the importance of safeguarding UNIFIL forces and Lebanese Armed Forces.

The Department of Defense (DoD) has released the final rule for the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Program, which is now available for public inspection on federalregister.gov. The rule is expected to be published in the Federal Register on October 15.