News and reports from the Department of Defense, DOD.

Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder has provided an update on the ongoing response to Hurricane Helene and preparations for Hurricane Milton. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III has been actively monitoring the situation, receiving daily briefings on the progress and strategies in place.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III engaged in a phone conversation with Japan's Minister of Defense, Nakatani Gen, as reported by Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III engaged in discussions with Saudi Minister of Defense His Royal Highness Khalid bin Salman on Monday, focusing on U.S. efforts to bolster security in the Middle East. The dialogue underscored the enduring commitment of the United States to Saudi Arabia's defense and highlighted the significance of their defense partnership for regional stability.

Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Ms. Amanda Dory, is set to visit Germany and the United Kingdom from October 7-9. According to Pentagon Spokesman Lt. Col. Garron Garn, USMC, her trip will begin in Berlin on October 7, where she will engage in a strategic dialogue with Dr. Jasper Wieck from Germany's Ministry of Defense.

Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder has reported on a phone call between U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Argentine Minister of Defense Luis Petri. The conversation focused on strengthening the defense relationship between the United States and Argentina.

A year has passed since the terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which marked a significant tragedy in Israel's history. On this day, Hamas attacked during the Jewish holy day of Simchat Torah, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 civilians, including over 40 American citizens. Additionally, 251 individuals were taken hostage, among them 12 Americans. The United States Department of Defense reflects on this somber anniversary with a statement from Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III.

The Department of Defense (DoD) has launched a one-year pilot program to offer no-cost supplemental health support services to its civilian employees stationed in Japan. This initiative follows a yearlong effort to address concerns about access to medical care for these employees.

The Department of Defense has announced research equipment grants totaling $50.1 million to 98 university researchers at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and minority-serving institutions (MIs). These grants, each up to $800,000, will benefit 21 HBCUs and 49 MIs, including one tribal college, across 26 states and the District of Columbia.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III held a conversation with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant on October 6, addressing Iran's destabilizing actions in the Middle East and the ongoing situations in Lebanon and Gaza. The discussion took place as the anniversary of a significant terrorist attack by Hamas against Israel approached.

Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder has issued a statement regarding the Department of Defense's involvement in the response to Hurricane Helene. The Department is working in coordination with FEMA and North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, alongside local, state, and federal partners.

The Department of Defense has expressed approval for the recent agreement between the Republic of Mauritius and the United Kingdom regarding the status of the Chagos Archipelago. The department is confident that the negotiations have led to an agreement ensuring the secure and effective operation of the joint U.S.-UK military base on Diego Garcia.

Pentagon Spokesman Eric Pahon reported that Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks visited the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Dahlgren Division in Virginia and NSWC Indian Head Division in Maryland. The purpose of the visit was to observe Navy research, development, testing, and evaluation projects, particularly focusing on counter-Uncrewed Systems technologies (c-UXS) and energetics.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III held a conversation with Ukrainian Minister of Defence Rustem Umerov, focusing on battlefield developments and security support. This discussion followed President Biden's recent meeting with President Zelenskyy in the United States and looked ahead to the upcoming Ramstein Summit of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group.

The Department of Defense has awarded a grant of $71,157,977 to Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas. This grant is part of a larger project totaling $88,969,971 aimed at replacing the existing school facilities at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. The funding comes from the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has officially launched the Defense Security Cooperation Service (DSCS) during a ceremony held at the Pentagon. This new service aims to enhance the support infrastructure for U.S. Security Cooperation Organization (SCO) personnel stationed at embassies worldwide.