U.S. Department of Defense
Recent News About U.S. Department of Defense
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President nominates four navy rear admirals for promotion
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III announced on May 17, 2024, that the president has nominated several Navy Rear Admirals for appointment to higher ranks and new assignments.
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DoD awards $20 million to boost domestic manganese supply chain
The Department of Defense (DoD) has announced a $20 million award to South32 via the Defense Production Act Investment (DPAI) Program. The award is intended for South32's Hermosa Project, which aims to sustainably produce battery-grade manganese in Santa Cruz County, Arizona. The award aligns with the 2024 National Defense Industrial Strategy's objective to continue and expand support for domestic production, thereby increasing supply chain resilience.
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President nominates military officers for promotions and new assignments
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III announced on May 17, 2024, that the president has nominated several military officers for promotions and new assignments.
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Leadership transition announced in Department's Space Policy Division
The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy has expressed its profound appreciation for Dr. John Plumb's exemplary service as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy. Dr. Plumb, who served from March 2022 to May 2024, skillfully managed the Department's strategic capabilities for integrated deterrence, including space, nuclear weapons, missile defense, and countering weapons of mass destruction.
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Defense Department reports progress in combating military sexual assault
On his first day as Secretary of Defense, the incumbent prioritized countering sexual assault and harassment in the military, declaring these issues as unacceptable within the U.S. military. The Secretary emphasized the need for cohesion, trust, dignity, and security for every member of the force.
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Secretary of Defense discusses assassination attempt with Slovak Minister of Defense
Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder has reported on a recent conversation between Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Slovak Minister of Defense and Deputy Prime Minister Robert Kalinak. The discussion took place on May 16, 2024, during which Secretary Austin expressed his deep concern over the attempted assassination of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.
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Department of Defense reports decrease in military sexual assaults for FY 2023
The Department of Defense (DOD) has released the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military. The report indicates a decline in the estimated prevalence of sexual assault and harassment within the active force, marking the first decrease in nearly a decade.
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DoD grants $14.9 million to boost North American cobalt and graphite supply chain
The Department of Defense (DoD) has awarded $6.5 million and $8.4 million to Canadian companies Fortune Minerals Limited (Fortune) and Lomiko Metals, Inc. (Lomiko), respectively. The funding is part of the Defense Production Act Investment (DPAI) program, designed to bolster the U.S.-Canadian Joint Action Plan on Critical Minerals. The grants aim to strengthen the cobalt and graphite supply chains in line with the 2024 National Defense Industrial Strategy's commitment to support domestic production of critical minerals.
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U.S., Israel discuss boosting humanitarian aid to Gaza
Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided an account of a recent conversation between Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant. The two officials discussed the pressing need to augment humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians in Gaza, specifically through the Kerem Shalom and Rafah crossings.
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Assistant Secretary Ratner discusses US-PRC defense relations with Major General Li Bin
Dr. Ely Ratner, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, engaged in a video teleconference with People's Republic of China (PRC) Major General Li Bin, Director of the Central Military Commission Office for International Military Cooperation. The conversation was centered around issues of mutual concern.
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DOD hosts virtual career symposium and hiring fair for military spouses in May
The Defense Department is set to host a series of free virtual events, including a symposium, webinar series, and a hiring fair from May 14 through May 30. These events aim to empower military spouses in achieving their career goals and establishing connections with potential employers.
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DoD and Interior Department renew partnership for wildlife conservation and military readiness
Leaders from the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of the Interior convened at the Pentagon on Monday to commemorate the renewal of the Recovery and Sustainment Partnership (RASP). This follows a Memorandum of Understanding signed earlier this year, aimed at promoting the recovery of threatened and endangered species while simultaneously supporting national security.
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U.S., Japan finalize agreement on Glide Phase Interceptor project
The United States Department of Defense (DoD) and the Japan Ministry of Defense (MOD) have reached a formal agreement for a Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI) Cooperative Development (GCD) Project Arrangement. This agreement is in line with the U.S.-Japan bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Research, Development, Test and Evaluation Projects (RDT&E).
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Department of Defense unveils Regional Sustainment Framework
The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Dr. William A. LaPlante, and Assistant Secretary of Defense for Sustainment, Chris Lowman, have announced the release of the Regional Sustainment Framework (RSF). The RSF is designed to optimize regional Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) operations.
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DOD announces open call for defense production act funding proposals
The Department of Defense (DOD) has initiated a new Open Announcement via the Defense Industrial Base Consortium Other Transaction Authority (DIBC OTA). This announcement will accept unsolicited White Papers for consideration for Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III and Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) funding. The DIBC, which offers free membership, is open to U.S. organizations as well as international partners from the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. The FY24 National Defense Authorization Act designated the UK and Australia as domestic sources for...
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Secretary Austin affirms US commitment to Middle East in call with Egyptian counterpart
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III recently engaged in a conversation with Egypt's Minister of Defense, General Mohamed Zaki. The discussion revolved around regional challenges and the profound bilateral security cooperation between the two nations.
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Melissa Dalton meets with Italian Carabinieri's deputy commander to discuss global security
Performing the Duties of Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Melissa Dalton, recently met with Deputy Commander of the Italian Carabinieri, Lt. Gen. Riccardo Galletta at the Pentagon on May 8. The meeting was reported by Department of Defense Spokesman Colonel David Herndon.
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Secretary Austin discusses Baltic security with Lithuanian counterpart
Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout: Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke today with his counterpart from Lithuania, Minister of National Defence Laurynas Kasčiūnas. Secretary Austin congratulated Minister Kasčiūnas on his recent appointment as minister and the two discussed support to Ukraine, NATO regional plans, recent progress with Lithuania's defense industrial base, and U.S. force posture in the Baltics.
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President Biden issues order prohibiting certain property acquisition near military base
President Biden has issued an order prohibiting the acquisition and necessitating the divestment of a cryptocurrency mining facility located within one mile of Francis E. Warren Air Force Base (F.E. Warren AFB). The directive also mandates the removal of certain improvements and equipment at the property by MineOne Partners Limited, which is primarily owned by nationals of the People's Republic of China; MineOne Cloud Computing Investment I L.P.; MineOne Data Center LLC; and MineOne Wyoming Data Center LLC (collectively known as MineOne), including their affiliates.
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US-Canada defense leaders discuss global security issues
On May 13, 2024, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and his Canadian counterpart, Minister of National Defence Bill Blair, convened for a bilateral meeting at the Pentagon. The leaders engaged in discussions on various issues including cooperation through NATO to counter Russian aggression against Ukraine, their shared commitment to North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) modernization, Canada's Defence Policy Update, defense spending, Haiti's security situation, Middle East security, and the importance of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific.