Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Pilot Practice

 

An Air Force T-6A Texan II aircraft flies in tactical formation with instructor pilots during training near Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, Dec. 11, 2020.

Air Assault

 

A Japanese soldier and U.S. Marines conduct a simulated air assault in Japan, Dec. 15, 2020, during Forest Light, an annual bilateral exercise that strengthens the interoperability and readiness of U.S. and Japanese troops.

Hanukkah Song

 

Army Maj. Kenneth May plays the guitar for attendees of a menorah lighting ceremony at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Dec. 10, 2020. The ceremony celebrated the Jewish holiday Hanukkah.

Mural Master

Navy Seaman Apprentice Hannah Blakely paints a mural aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford in the Atlantic Ocean, Dec. 8, 2020.

 

Miller Vaccination

 

Acting Defense Secretary Chris Miller receives the COVID-19 vaccine from Navy Seaman Samantha Alvarez at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Md., Dec. 14, 2020.

Doctor Discussion

 

Acting Defense Secretary Chris Miller talks with Navy Lt. Cmdr. Nate Aranas, a nurse in the Emergency Department at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, after they received the COVID-19 vaccine at Walter Reed in Bethesda, Md., Dec. 14, 2020.

COVID-19 Vaccination

 

Army Col. (Dr.) Sean Dooley, a pulmonologist at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, receives a COVID-19 vaccination at Walter Reed in Bethesda, Md., Dec. 14, 2020.

Sports Heroes Who Served: World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Served in WWII

 Dec. 15, 2020 | BY David Vergun , DOD News

Sports Heroes Who Served is a series that highlights the accomplishments of athletes who served in the U.S. military.

William Harrison "Jack" Dempsey was the world heavyweight champion from 1919 to 1926.

A man wearing a tank top has his arms crossed as he poses for a photo.

Dempsey grew up poor in Colorado, then West Virginia and Utah. In "Dempsey," his 1977 autobiography, he wrote that as a teenager, he would visit saloons and challenge everyone inside, saying "I can't sing, and I can't dance, but I can lick any SOB in the house."

He mentioned that he rarely lost any of these barroom brawls and made money from bets that were placed.

During World War I, Dempsey worked in a Philadelphia shipyard.

Dempsey's fame came on July 4, 1919, when he met World Heavyweight Champion Jess Willard in the ring in Toledo, Ohio.

A photo provides an aerial view of a group of people in a boxing ring surrounded by a large crowd.

Despite being 6-foot, 1-inch tall and 187 pounds, Dempsey knocked Willard down repeatedly. Willard was 6-foot, 7-inches tall and 245 pounds.

After the match, Willard said "Dempsey is a remarkable hitter. It was the first time that I had ever been knocked off my feet. I have sent many birds home in the same bruised condition that I am in, and now I know how they felt."

Dempsey successfully defended his title against Billy Miske in September 1920; Bill Brennan in December 1920; Georges Carpentier in July 1921; Tommy Gibbons in July 1923; and Luis Angel Firpo in September 1923.

A boxer knocks his opponent from the ring.

In September 1926, Dempsey fought Gene Tunney, a former U.S. Marine, in Philadelphia. Dempsey lost his title on points, rather than a knockout or technical knockout, in 10 rounds.

Dempsey later explained the loss to his wife, saying, "Honey, I forgot to duck." Decades later, President Ronald Reagan borrowed that quote when his wife Nancy visited him in the emergency room after the attempt on his life.

Two men wearing dress shirts, ties and boxing gloves pretend to fight in front of a crowd. A third man, who is also wearing a dress shirt and tie,  holds the arms of one of the men.

On July 21, 1927, Dempsey knocked out future heavyweight champion Jack Sharkey in round seven. The fight was an elimination bout for a fight against Tunney.

On Sept. 22, 1927, Dempsey again lost to Tunney; after it was over, Dempsey decided to retire.

When World War II started, Dempsey joined the New York State Guard and was commissioned a first lieutenant. He later resigned that commission to accept a Coast Guard Reserve commission.

The cover of Time magazine shows a drawing of a man; the words "Champion Dempsey" are written beneath the drawing.

He reported for duty in June 1942 at Coast Guard Training Station, Manhattan Beach in Brooklyn, New York, where he was the director of physical education.

After being promoted to commander in March 1944, Dempsey was assigned to the transport USS Wakefield. In 1945, he was on the attack transport USS Arthur Middleton for the invasion of Okinawa. He also spent time on the USS General William Mitchell.

Two young men in sailor uniforms load an antiaircraft gun while an older man in an officer’s uniform looks on.

Dempsey was honorably discharged from the Coast Guard Reserve in 1952.

On May 31, 1983, Dempsey died at the age of 87 in New York City.

Harbor Hover

 

A Navy MH-60S Seahawk helicopter conducts unmanned underwater vehicle training over Apra Harbor, Guam, Dec. 9, 2020.

Statement on New Appointments to the Defense Health Board

 Dec. 15, 2020


Today, the Department of Defense announced that Acting Secretary Chris Miller intends to appoint Dr. Dana Gordon to the Defense Health Board (DHB) Neurological/Behavioral Health Subcommittee as well as SBA Assistant Administrator Sery Kim to the Defense Health Board Public Health Subcommittee.

The Defense Health Board provides advice and recommendations for health related matters across the Department of Defense.

“Dr. Gordon and Assistant Administrator Kim bring a wealth of knowledge and experience which will help to inform and advise the Defense Health Board immensely,” said Dave Vasquez, a Department of Defense Spokesman. “The Department is fortunate to welcome them to these respective subcommittees within the DHB and we look forward to their service.” 

About the Defense Health Board
The Defense Health Board is a Federal Advisory Committee to the Secretary of Defense that provides independent advice and recommendations to maximize the safety and quality of, as well as access to, healthcare for Department of Defense health care beneficiaries.

Acting Secretary Miller Travels to Naval Air Station Key West

 Dec. 15, 2020


Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher C. Miller will travel to Naval Air Station Key West, Fla., Dec. 16.

While there, Secretary Miller will meet with Navy Adm. Craig S. Faller, commander of U.S. Southern Command.  SOUTHCOM is one of the nation’s six geographically-focused unified commands with responsibility for U.S. military operations in the Caribbean, Central America and South America, as well as security cooperation with defense forces in the region.

He will also receive a briefing on the Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF South), and its work with 26 partner nations to degrade transnational criminal organizations, while reducing illicit trafficking to the United States. JIATF South conducts detection and monitoring operations throughout its Joint Operating Area to facilitate the interdiction of illicit trafficking in support of national and partner nation security.

Media Advisory on Designation of Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict

 Dec. 15, 2020


The White House designated Dr. Joseph M. Tonon as the Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict. 

Dr. Tonon performs the duties as outlined in the memorandum on the organizational roles of ASD SO/LIC signed by the Acting Secretary of Defense on November 18, 2020. You can read the full memo here.

Dr. Tonon has been in this leadership role since December 4, 2020.

Also, the Deputy Secretary of Defense signed the memorandum regarding the implementation plan on this restructuring on December 3, 2020. You can read the full memo here.

Recruit Ready

 

A Marine Corps recruit takes on an obstacle during a confidence course at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., Dec. 15, 2020