Readout of U.S. - PRC Defense Policy Coordination Talks

 Sept. 29, 2021

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Department of Defense Spokesperson Lt. Col. Martin Meiners provided the following readout:

Dr. Michael Chase, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for China, conducted a secure video conference with Major General Huang Xueping, Deputy Director of the People's Republic of China's (PRC) People's Liberation Army Office for International Military Cooperation to co-host virtually the 16th U.S.-PRC Defense Policy Coordination Talks, September 28 and 29, 2021.

The meeting is an important component of the Biden-Harris Administration’s ongoing effort to responsibly manage the competition between the U.S. and the PRC by maintaining open lines of communication with the PRC.

During the talks, the two sides held a frank, in-depth, and open discussion on a range of issues affecting the U.S.-PRC defense relationship. Both sides reaffirmed consensus to keep communication channels open. The U.S. side also made clear our commitment to uphold shared principles with our allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region.

Drill Evaluation

 

Marines conduct a final drill evaluation at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Sept. 24, 2021.

Sea Training

 

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Joshua Curlee provides security during an at sea training evolution aboard the USS Arlington in the Atlantic Ocean, Sept. 27, 2021.

Red Line

 

A Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet recovers on the flight deck of the USS Carl Vinson in the Philippine Sea, Sept. 27, 2021.

General Officer Assignments

 Sept. 29, 2021

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The chief of staff of the Army announces the following general officer assignments:

Army Reserve

Maj. Gen. Joseph J. Heck, commander (Troop Program Unit), 807th Medical Command (Deployment Support), Salt Lake City, Utah, to deputy surgeon general for mobilization and readiness (Individual Mobilization Augmentee), Office of The Surgeon General, Falls Church, Virginia.

Maj. Gen. Martin F. Klein, director of strategic operations (Individual Mobilization Augmentee), Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3/5/7, Washington, D.C., to commander (Troop Program Unit), 75th Innovation Command, Houston, Texas.

Maj. Gen. Tracy L. Smith, deputy surgeon general for mobilization and readiness (Individual Mobilization Augmentee), Office of The Surgeon General, Falls Church, Virginia, to commander (Troop Program Unit), 807th Medical Command (Deployment Support), Salt Lake City, Utah.

Brig. Gen. Robert E. Guidry, deputy commander (Troop Program Unit), 75th Innovation Command, Houston, Texas, to commanding general (Troop Program Unit), 86th Training Division, Fort McCoy, Wisconsin.

Brig. Gen. Michelle A. Link, deputy commander (Troop Program Unit), 416th Theater Engineer Command, Darien, Illinois, to executive director (Individual Mobilization Augmentee), Operational Contract Support, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Washington, D.C.

Army National Guard

Maj. Gen. Wendul G. Hagler II, senior defense official and defense attaché, U.S. Defense Attaché Office, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to deputy commanding general, U.S. Army Central, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina.

Flag Officer Assignments

 Sept. 29, 2021

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The secretary of the Navy and chief of naval operations announced today the following assignments:

Rear Adm. David A. Goggins will be assigned as program executive officer, Attack Submarines (PEO SSN), Washington, D.C.  Goggins is currently serving as program executive officer for Submarines, Washington, D.C.

Rear Adm. Troy M. McClelland will be assigned as program executive officer, Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization (PEO SIOP), Washington, D.C.  McClelland is currently serving as deputy commander, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, Washington, D.C.

Rear Adm. Scott W. Pappano will be assigned as program executive officer, Strategic Submarines (PEO SSBN), Washington, D.C.  Pappano is currently serving as program executive officer, Columbia, Washington, D.C.

Rear Adm. (lower half) Edward L. Anderson will be assigned as program executive officer, Undersea Warfare Systems (PEO UWS), Washington, D.C.  Anderson is currently serving as commander, Undersea Warfare (NAVSEA 07), Washington, D.C.

Readout of Deputy Secretary of Defense Dr. Kathleen H. Hicks' Travel U.S. Cyber Command and National Security Agency

 

Sept. 29, 2021

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Pentagon Spokesman Eric Pahon provided the following readout:

Deputy Secretary of Defense Dr. Kathleen H. Hicks visited U.S. Cyber Command (CYBERCOM) and the National Security Agency (NSA) today to meet with General Paul M. Nakasone, Commander, U.S. Cyber Command; and Director, National Security Agency / Chief, Central Security Service; to discuss department initiatives and operations to enhance DoD network security strategic competition with China and Russia, and joint CYBERCOM/NSA efforts to defend the nation.

Dr. Hicks visited NSA’s Cybersecurity Collaboration Center to observe and discuss inter-agency and Defense Industrial Base cooperation to detect and mitigate cybersecurity threats.

The Deputy Secretary also discussed the missions and capabilities of USCYBERCOM and NSA/CSS to support strategic competition, intelligence, cybersecurity, cyber operations, and partnerships. 

Birthday Performance

 

Members of the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard commemorate the Air Force’s 74th birthday at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum in New York City, Sept. 18, 2021.

Military Moves

 

Soldiers move an Army M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle toward an objective during a multinational situational training exercise in Cincu, Romania, Sept. 23, 2021.

Aerial Fire

 

Marine Corps Sgt. Christophe J. Stump fires a GAU-17 minigun in Lima, Peru, Sept. 28, 2021, during UNITAS LXII, the world's longest-running annual multinational maritime exercise.

Missile Maintenance

 

Air Force Senior Airman Taye-Anthony Bennett secures fins to an AIM-120 during a weapons load competition at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Sept. 21, 2021.

Colorful Drill

 

Air Force Staff Sgt. Marcus Hardy, a member of the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard drill team, warms up before performing in Times Square, New York, Sept. 17, 2021.

Falcon Flies

 

Air Force Kyle Partterson makes a running play against Utah State in Falcon Stadium at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., Sept. 18, 2021.

Satellite Setup

 

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Ariana Romero sets up a satellite terminal during Joint Warrior in Durness, Scotland, Sept. 23, 2021. The exercise demonstrates operational capability and interoperability of U.S. and partner nations at a task force level.

Pinatas Prep

 

Military children assemble mini pinatas to mark National Hispani Heritage Month at the Youth Center at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., Sept. 24, 2021.

Airborne Exercise

 

Soldiers participate in Falcon Leap, NATO’s largest technical airborne exercise, at a drop zone in the Netherlands, Sept. 15, 2021.

Rainbow Riders

 

Soldiers deploy a combat rubber raiding craft from a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during a waterborne infiltration course in Key West, Fla., Sept. 2021.

Honoring Heroes

 

Military family members release a lantern during the Air Force Families Forever Fallen Hero Sky Lantern Lighting on the beach in Biloxi, Miss., Sept. 24, 2021.

Sector Security

 

An Army paratrooper establishes sector security on a drop zone alongside paratroopers from the Lithuanian-Polish-Ukrainian brigade after conducting a joint airborne operation as part of Exercise Rapid Trident near Yavoriv, Ukraine, Sept. 25, 2021.

Fire Control

 

Fire department personnel put out a controlled flight line fire as part of an airport rescue firefighter course at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 10, 2021.

Peak Performance

 

Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Kristine Hsia performs during the Savannah Jazz Festival in Savannah, Ga., Sept. 25, 2021.