U.S. Department of Defense
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Recent News About U.S. Department of Defense
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Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met with Pope Francis at the Vatican, where they discussed global security challenges and the promotion of peace in conflict-affected regions. Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh provided a readout of the meeting.
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Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks met with Australian Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Pat Conroy at the Pentagon. The meeting aimed to strengthen the alliance between the United States and Australia.
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The Department of Defense (DoD) has entered into a bilateral, non-binding Security of Supply Arrangement (SOSA) with the Federal Ministry of Defence for Germany. This agreement aims to allow both nations to acquire industrial resources swiftly to meet defense needs, address unexpected disruptions, and enhance supply chain resilience.
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The Department of Defense (DoD) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) have announced the approval of the first group of Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) Licensees and Green Light Approved investment funds under the Small Business Investment Company Critical Technology Initiative (SBICCT Initiative). This group aims to invest over $2.8 billion into more than 1,000 portfolio companies.
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The Department of Defense has announced a new security assistance package for Ukraine. This marks the Biden Administration's sixty-eighth provision of equipment from DoD inventories to Ukraine since August 2021. The package, under the Presidential Drawdown Authority, is valued at approximately $400 million.
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Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III has arrived in Ukraine to meet with Ukrainian leaders and affirm the United States' support for Ukraine's fight for freedom. This marks his fourth visit to the country as Secretary of Defense.
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Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III held a conversation with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant to address regional security issues. During the discussion, Secretary Austin elaborated on the United States' adjustments in force posture, highlighting the recent deployment of a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense system aimed at strengthening Israel's defenses against threats from Iran, Lebanese Hizballah, and Iranian proxies.
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Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met with Japan's Minister of Defense Nakatani Gen in Naples, Italy. The meeting took place during the G7 Defense Ministers' Meeting. Secretary Austin congratulated Minister Nakatani on his recent appointment.
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The National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial remains accessible to visitors, though there will be temporary changes due to maintenance work. From Friday, October 18, 2024, at 6 p.m. EDT until Sunday, October 20, 2024, at 7 p.m. EDT, the pedestrian tunnel connecting the Hayes Street Parking Lot and several lanes in South Parking will be closed for milling and paving.
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Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia, Laura Updegrove, has completed her visit to Singapore and the Philippines. The trip aimed to strengthen defense ties and advance mutual priorities in the Indo-Pacific region. This visit followed her engagements in Cambodia for the U.S.-Cambodia Defense Policy Dialogue.
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The recent killing of Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas, by Israeli forces marks a significant event in counterterrorism efforts. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III commented on this development, noting that while Sinwar's death does not heal the wounds from the October 7th attacks or the numerous deaths he is responsible for, it may provide some justice and solace to the victims' families.
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Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III had a conversation with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant to address reports concerning the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder released a statement detailing the discussion.
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U.S. military forces conducted precision airstrikes in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, targeting underground weapons storage facilities. The operation involved U.S. Air Force B-2 bombers and aimed to disrupt the Houthis' capacity to threaten civilian and military vessels in the region.
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Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met with Danish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Troels Lund Poulsen at the Pentagon, as confirmed by Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.