Today in the Department of Defense, Thursday, February 03, 2011

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates hosts an honor cordon to welcome Colombian Minister of Defense Rodrigo Rivera to the Pentagon today at 10:45 a.m. EST.  The cordon will be held on the steps of the Pentagon River Entrance.  Journalists without a Pentagon building pass will be picked up at the Pentagon River Parking Entrance only.  Plan to arrive no later than 30 minutes prior to the event; have proof of affiliation and two forms of photo identification.  Please call 703-697-5131 for escort to the cordon.

Deputy Secretary of Defense William J. Lynn has no public or media events on his schedule.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen participates in the National Prayer Breakfast at 8 a.m. EST in the Hilton Washington International Ballroom,

1919 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, D.C.

 

Commanding General U.S. Forces-Iraq Gen. Lloyd James Austin III and Ambassador to Iraq James Jeffrey testify at a hearing of the Senate Armed Forces Committee on the United States policy toward Iraq at 9:30 a.m. EST in room SD-106, Dirksen Senate Office Building.

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Mark Martins, commander of Rule of Law Field Force - Afghanistan, will brief the media live from Kabul, Afghanistan, at 10:30 a.m. EST, in the Pentagon Briefing Room (2E973) to provide an update on rule of law.  Journalists without a Pentagon building pass will be picked up at the River Entrance only.  Plan to arrive no later than 45 minutes prior to the event; have proof of affiliation and two forms of photo identification.  Please call 703-697-5131 for escort into the building.