News and reports from the Department of Defense, DOD.

Department of Defense spokesperson Lt. Col. Dave Herndon has announced that senior delegations from the United States and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) recently convened at the Pentagon for the annual U.S.-UAE Joint Military Dialogue (JMD). The dialogue served as a crucial platform for enhancing the defense partnership between the two nations.During the meeting, discussions encompassed a wide array of regional and defense issues, including regional threats, counterterrorism, maritime security, air and missile defense, and security cooperation. Notably, there was a...

The Office of the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff released new assignments for command senior enlisted leaders. Air Force Command Chief Master Sgt. Ted R. Braxton Jr. will replace Navy Command Master Chief Michael S. Koch at the Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa in Djibouti. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Kyle J. Gilliam will take over from Army Command Sgt. Maj. Corey Perry at the Defense Intelligence Agency in Washington, D.C. Additionally, Army Command Sgt. Maj. Daniel Rose will succeed Navy Command Master Chief Timothy L. Garman at...

The Department of Defense (DoD) has announced a historic new security assistance package for Ukraine, aimed at addressing the country's ongoing battlefield needs and showcasing unwavering U.S. support. The package, provided through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), includes a wide range of equipment to bolster Ukraine's defenses.The announcement, made on the two-year anniversary of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, signifies a significant commitment from the United States to assist Ukraine in its defense efforts. The funding for this package was...

Pentagon Spokesman Lt. Col. Devin T. Robinson provided the following readout:"On April 23-24, the United States Department of Defense hosted the Conference of Defense Ministers of the Americas (CDMA) Ad-Hoc Working Group on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) ahead of the XVI CDMA to be held in Mendoza, Argentina in October 2024."Representatives developed a Joint Statement that includes recommendations to ministers for consideration in the Declaration of Mendoza. Recommendations include: Continuing to hold the Ad-Hoc WPS Working Group; acknowledging the importance of WPS...

Pentagon Spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout of a call between Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Romanian Minister of National Defence Angel Tîlvăr on April 25, 2024. During the call, the two officials discussed Russia's war in Ukraine and ongoing efforts to provide additional security assistance for Ukraine.Ryder stated that both Secretary Austin and Minister Tîlvăr "reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to the Ukrainian people and condemned Russia's unlawful war of choice." Secretary Austin also acknowledged Romania's crucial role as...

The Department of Defense has unveiled the Calendar Year 2022 Annual Report on Civilian Casualties in Connection with United States Military Operations. According to the report, no civilian casualties were caused by U.S. military operations in 2022.In compliance with Section 1057 of the FY18 National Defense Appropriations Act, the Department is mandated to produce an annual report on civilian casualties related to U.S. military operations. The report details each U.S.-caused civilian casualty incident, including date, location, operation type (air or ground), and the...

Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen Pat Ryder announced that Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III engaged in a conversation with Netherlands Minister of Defense Kajsa Ollongren to address the urgent necessity for additional air defense capabilities for Ukraine. During the call, Secretary Austin commended the Netherlands for their ongoing leadership in offering security assistance to Ukraine and their significant contributions thus far. Ryder emphasized that both Secretary Austin and Minister Ollongren anticipate further collaboration via the Ukraine Defense Contact Group.

Republic of Korea (ROK) Deputy Minister for National Defense Policy Cho Chang-rae, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Ely Ratner, and Japan Director General for Defense Policy Kano Koji came together virtually on April 24, 2024, for the 14th Defense Trilateral Talks. During the meeting, the officials discussed various issues pertaining to security in the region and ways to enhance trilateral security cooperation.One of the key points highlighted was the commitment of the three countries to strengthening their cooperation in deterring the...

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III recently engaged in a call with Swedish Minister of Defense Pål Jonson to address crucial security matters. The discussion centered on continued support for Ukraine and other key security issues.During the call, Secretary Austin expressed gratitude towards Minister Jonson for Sweden's significant military assistance to Ukraine. He underscored the importance of Sweden's contributions, noting that "Sweden's efforts, and its new role as the 32nd member of the NATO Alliance, demonstrate its solid commitment to regional security."...

Per the U.S. State Department, U.S. Ambassador to Niger Kathleen FitzGibbon and Maj. Gen. Kenneth Ekman, U.S. Africa Command Director of Strategy, Engagement and Programs, will meet with National Council for Safeguarding the Homeland (CNSP) officials on April 25 in Niamey, Niger to initiate discussions on an orderly and safe withdrawal of U.S. forces from Niger. Following this, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict Christopher Maier and Lt. Gen. Dagvin Anderson, Joint Staff Director for Joint Force Development, will conduct...

The Department of Defense (DoD) has announced a significant new security assistance package for Ukraine, valued at $1 billion, to meet the country's critical security and defense needs. This marks the fifty-sixth tranche of equipment to be provided to Ukraine since August 2021.The package includes a wide range of capabilities aimed at supporting Ukraine's urgent requirements, such as air defense interceptors, artillery rounds, armored vehicles, and anti-tank weapons. The assistance is part of the Biden Administration's ongoing commitment to bolster Ukraine's defense...

Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided a readout of a call between Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto. The call, which took place to discuss the U.S.-Indonesia defense relationship, as well as regional and global security issues, highlighted several key points.During the call, Secretary Austin reiterated President Biden's congratulations to Minister Prabowo on his recent victory in Indonesia's presidential election. The two leaders also discussed the importance of Indonesia's military modernization and...

Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder has disclosed that Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III engaged in a significant discussion with Greek Minister of Defense Nikos Dendias, highlighting the robust defense ties between the United States and Greece. The call also touched upon Greece's vital contributions to security in the Red Sea and its unwavering assistance to Ukraine amidst Russia's aggressive actions.Acknowledging the pivotal role played by Greece in bolstering regional security, Secretary Austin expressed gratitude towards Minister Dendias for the...

Department of Defense Spokesperson Jeff Jurgensen confirmed that Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Dr. William LaPlante recently embarked on a diplomatic mission to Paris, France, and Brussels, Belgium. Dr. LaPlante's visit aimed to enhance security cooperation with European allies and partners, focusing on current needs and future collaboration in procurement, production, and sustainment.Dr. LaPlante engaged in discussions at the semi-annual NATO Conference of National Armaments Directors (NADs), where progress on the implementation of NATO's...

Department of Defense Spokesman Maj. Charlie Dietz provided a readout of the U.S.-Slovakia High Level Defense Group meeting that took place on April 23, 2024. The meeting was co-chaired by Ms. Lisa Sawyer, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for European and NATO Policy, and Mr. Igor Melicher, State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence for the Slovak Republic, in Bratislava, Slovakia.During the meeting, various topics related to the global security environment were discussed. This included issues such as countering Russian aggression in Ukraine, the influence of the...