Army Capt. Ronnel Baris leads his squad during a jungle operations training course at East Range, Hawaii, Jan. 20, 2021.
Friday, February 12, 2021
U.S. Citizen Charged with Murder of Department of Defense Employee in Bahrain
A U.S. citizen arrived in the United States today after being ordered detained and removed from Bahrain to the United States for the alleged murder of his mother, a Department of Defense civilian employee working in Bahrain.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicholas L. McQuaid of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur of the District of Maryland and Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Oakes of the U.S. Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Middle East Field Office made the announcement.
Giovonni Pope, 27, was charged with murder by way of criminal complaint in the District of Maryland Tuesday. U.S. military authorities in Bahrain arrested Pope and his initial appearance was held via video teleconference, at which time he was ordered detained and removed to the United States pursuant to the Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act.
According to the complaint, on Jan. 31, Pope stabbed his mother, causing her death. In the hours that followed, Pope purchased a plane ticket back to the United States and attempted to clean the residence and dispose of evidence of the crime.
The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Brian Morgan and James Hepburn of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney P. Michael Cunningham of the District of Maryland. The case is being investigated by the U.S. Naval Criminal Investigative Service. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided assistance.
The charges in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Merit Medal
Army Sgt. 1st Class Jackie Lord receives a Meritorious Service Medal from Brig. Gen. Jack M. Davis during a ceremony at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., Feb. 4, 2021. Lord was named the Army's active component career counselor of the year.
DOD to Support FEMA Vaccination Effort
Feb. 12, 2021 | , DOD News
The Defense Department's first 222-person team arrived in California and will begin to support a mass vaccination site in Los Angeles by Feb. 15, said the Pentagon press secretary.
The team will support the Federal Emergency Management Agency's vaccination efforts, John F. Kirby said at a press briefing today.
Additionally, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III authorized an additional 20 teams to support FEMA at vaccination sites around the country, Kirby said. This will be 10 222-person teams and 10 139-person teams. The smaller teams will be assigned to sites with fewer people who need to be vaccinated.
These 20 teams are on "prepare to deploy" orders and will deploy as sites are designated by FEMA, and the teams properly trained and resourced, he said.
This will bring the Defense Department total to more than 4,700 Title 10 personnel supporting, or preparing to support FEMA, he said. These Title 10 personnel are in addition to the more than 26,000 National Guard members and 3,000 active duty personnel who have been supporting COVID-19 efforts over the last year.
"We will continue to work with FEMA as they refine their plan for vaccination sites across the country," Kirby said.
Details are still being worked across the interagency, he added.
Austin Announces Members of Base-Naming Commission
Feb. 12, 2021 | , DOD News
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III announced today the Defense
Department's representatives to the Congressionally-mandated commission
on the naming of items in the department that commemorate the
Confederacy.
"I am pleased to announce today the names of four outstanding leaders who have agreed to serve," he said in a statement.
Retired Navy Adm. Michelle Howard; retired Marine Corps Gen. Bob Neller; Dr. Kori Schake, director of Foreign & Defense Policy Studies at the American Enterprise Institute; and retired Army Brig. Gen. Ty Seidule, emeritus professor of history, U.S. Military Academy, will serve on what's commonly called the Confederate Base Naming Commission.
"Each of these individuals possesses unique and relevant experience in and out of government that I know will inform this important effort. I am enormously grateful for their willingness to serve the nation again, and I thank them in advance for the wise counsel I am confident they will provide," Austin stated.
"I also thank the Congress for establishing this process, and I continue to pledge my personal commitment — and that of the department — to making sure it succeeds. I look forward to seeing the results of the commission's work in the months ahead," he added.
U.S.-India Exercise
In other news today, Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby announced
the start of an important exercise with India. The announcement was
made during a Pentagon press briefing today.
Exercise Yudh Abhyas 20 kicked off in India this week. The exercise,
sponsored by the U.S. Army Pacific, involves about 250 U.S. military
service members and 250 Indian soldiers and is designed to enhance
combined interoperability capabilities through training and cultural
exchange, Kirby said.
"This exercise continues to solidify the U.S.-India major defense partnership and advances cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region," he added.
Five of seven treaty alliances are in the Indo-Pacific region, Kirby mentioned. He said there's a "sharp focus" on that entire region, particularly with threats in the South China Sea.
Ohio Watch
Navy Chief Petty Officer Jessica Cooper stands watch aboard the USS Ohio in the Pacific Ocean, Jan. 23, 2021.
Iron Union
An Army vehicle launches a linear demolition charge system during Iron Union at Al Hamra Training Center, United Arab Emirates, Feb. 4, 2021. The U.S.-United Arab Emirates exercise addresses common threats to regional security in Southwest Asia.
Sharp Shooter
Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Neil Rioja participates in a live-fire M240B machine gun range during training at Camp Fuji, Japan, Feb. 9, 2021.
Statement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on the Department's Representatives to the Congressionally-Mandated Commission on the Naming of Items in the Department of Defense That Commemorate the Confederate States of America
Feb. 12, 2021
I am pleased to announce today the names of four outstanding leaders who have agreed to serve as the Department’s representatives to the Congressionally-mandated commission on the naming of items of the Department of Defense that commemorate the Confederate States of America.
They are:
- Admiral Michelle Howard, U.S. Navy, retired
- General Bob Neller, U.S. Marine Corps, retired
- Dr. Kori Schake, Director of Foreign & Defense Policy Studies, American Enterprise Institute
- Brigadier General Ty Seidule, U.S. Army, retired (Emeritus Professor of History, U.S. Military Academy)
Each of these individuals possesses unique and relevant experience, in and out of government, that I know will inform this important effort. I am enormously grateful for their willingness to serve the nation again, and I thank them in advance for the wise counsel I am confident they will provide.
I also thank the Congress for establishing this process, and I continue to pledge my personal commitment – and that of the Department – to making sure it succeeds. I look forward to seeing the results of the commission’s work in the months ahead.
Nautical Defender
Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Rusty Johnson, center, watches a Saudi sailor connect an explosive tool to a robot during exercise Nautical Defender in Jubail, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 27, 2021. The maritime security exercise broadens levels of cooperation, supports long-term regional security and enhances military-to-military interoperability between Saudi Arabia, the U.K. and the U.S.
Arizona Sunrise
Air Force Staff Sgt. Solomon Walker prepares a C-130H Hercules aircraft for takeoff at Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz., Jan. 29, 2021, during Operation Arizona Sunrise, an exercise focused on joint airborne/air transportability training.
Hawaii Jump
A Marine jumps during airborne operations at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, Hawaii, Feb. 9, 2021.
Snowy Streak
Air Force Staff Sgt. Samuel Ley demonstrates how to use an MK-124 smoke and illumination signal on the Chukchi Sea, Jan. 13, 2021.
Icy Departure
Marines exit a frozen pond during training at the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center, Calif., Feb. 2, 2021.
Flight Prep
Marines and sailors prepare a Navy MH-60S Seahawk helicopter for takeoff from the USS America in the Philippine Sea, Jan. 30, 2021.
Vaccine Prep
Air Force Senior Airman Caleb McCain draws a dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine into a syringe at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., Feb. 7, 2021. More than 250 airmen voluntarily received the first dose of the two-part Moderna COVID-19 vaccine series.
Food Distribution
Army Spc. Priscilla Tran loads a box of canned goods at the Ballard Food Bank in Seattle, Feb. 11, 2021. The Washington National Guard’s food distribution mission continues to alleviate food insecurity in communities impacted by the effects of COVID-19.
Palau Flight
An Air Force crew flies over Palau Feb. 5, 2021, during Cope North, an annual exercise to promote stability and security throughout the Indo-Pacific.
Vaccine Process
Air Force Capt. Susan Ching processes service members and their families to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, Feb. 5, 2021. The base was administering the second dose of the vaccine in an effort to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lejeune Vaccine
Marine Corps Sgt. Alen Ford receives the COVID-19 vaccine at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 11, 2021. Marines received the vaccine to lower the public health risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sandy Security
Army armored vehicles participate in a simulated breach of a mine-wire obstacle during Iron Union at Al Hamra Training Center, United Arab Emirates, Jan. 31, 2021. The U.S.-United Arab Emirates exercise addresses common threats to regional security in Southwest Asia.
Batter Up
Navy Seaman Apprentice Jose Garza prepares a tray of lemon cake in the bake shop aboard the USS Tripoli in San Diego, Feb. 11, 2021.
General Officer Assignments
Feb. 12, 2021
The secretary, U.S. Air Force, announces the following general officer assignments:
Maj. Gen. Charles S. Corcoran will be assigned as assistant deputy chief of staff, operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, The Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Corcoran is currently serving as commander, U.S. Air Force Warfare Center, Air Combat Command, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.
Maj. Gen. Case A. Cunningham will be assigned as commander, U.S. Air Force Warfare Center, Air Combat Command, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. Cunningham is currently serving as director, plans, programs, and requirements, Headquarters Air Combat Command, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia.
Maj. Gen. (Dr.) John J. Degoes will be assigned as deputy surgeon general, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Falls Church, Virginia. Degoes is currently serving as commander, 59th Medical Wing, Air Education and Training Command, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas.
Maj. Gen. Stacey T. Hawkins will be assigned as the director, logistics, civil engineering, Force protection and nuclear integration, Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Hawkins is currently assigned as director, logistics, engineering, and force protection, Headquarters Air Combat Command, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia.
Maj. Gen. William G. Holt II will be assigned as commander, Curtis E. LeMay Center for Doctrine Development and Education; and vice commander, Air University, Air Education and Training Command, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. Holt is currently serving as director, operations, joint exercises and training, J-3/7, U.S. Space Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado.
Maj. Gen. David R. Iverson will be assigned as the director, air and cyberspace operations, Headquarters Pacific Air Forces, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. Iverson is currently serving as vice director, Joint Force Development, Joint Staff, The Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
Maj. Gen. Joel D. Jackson will be assigned as commander, Air Force District of Washington, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. Jackson is currently serving as director, operations, strategic deterrence, and nuclear integration, Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.
Maj. Gen. Michael G. Koscheski will be assigned as commander, 15th Air Force, Air Combat Command, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. Koscheski is currently serving as deputy commander, U.S. Air Forces Central Command; and deputy, Combined Forces Air Component Commander, U.S. Central Command, Air Combat Command, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar.
Brig. Gen. (Dr.) Sharon R. Bannister will be assigned as director, medical operations, Office of the Air Force Surgeon General, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Falls Church, Virginia. Bannister is currently serving as the command surgeon and assistant surgeon for dental services, Office of the Air Force Surgeon General, Headquarters Air Combat Command, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia.
Brig. Gen. Kenyon K. Bell will be assigned as director, logistics and engineering, Headquarters Air Force Global Strike Command, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. Bell is currently serving as the commander, 82d Training Wing, Air Education and Training Command, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas.
Brig. Gen. Sean M. Choquette will be assigned as vice commander, 12th Air Force, Air Forces Southern, Air Combat Command, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. Choquette is currently assigned as the director, operations, 12th Air Force, Air Forces Southern, Air Combat Command, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona.
Brig. Gen. Darren R. Cole will be assigned as the director, logistics, engineering and force protection, Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. Cole is currently serving as deputy director, resource integration, Deputy Chief of Staff, Logistics, Engineering, and Force Protection, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, The Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
Brig. Gen. Evan C. Dertien will be assigned as commander, Air Force Test Center, Air Force Materiel Command, Edwards Air Force Base, California. Dertien is currently serving as director, air, space and cyber space operations, Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command, Wright- Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.
Brig. Gen. David S. Eaglin will be assigned as commander, 18th Wing, Pacific Air Forces, Kadena Air Base, Japan. Eaglin is currently serving as deputy commander, 7th Air Force; and chief of staff, Air Component Command, Pacific Air Forces, Osan Air Base, South Korea.
Brig. Gen. Steven G. Edwards will be assigned as chief of staff, Headquarters U.S. Air Forces Europe and Air Forces Africa, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Edwards is currently serving as director, strategic plans, programs and requirements, Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Florida.
Brig. Gen. Richard W. Gibbs will be assigned as the commander, Ogden Air Logistics Complex, Air Force Materiel Command, Hill Air Force Base, Utah. Gibbs is currently serving as director, logistics, engineering and force protection, Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.
Brig. Gen. Jason T. Hinds will be assigned as director, plans, programs, and analyses, Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Hinds is currently serving as deputy director, operations, strategic deterrence and nuclear integration, Headquarters U.S. Air Forces-Europe, Ramstein Air Base, Germany.
Brig. Gen. Robert S. Jobe will be assigned as director, plans, programs, and requirements, Headquarters Air Combat Command, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. Jobe is currently assigned as director, strategic plans, Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, The Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
Brig. Gen. Joseph D. Kunkel will be assigned as director, strategic plans, Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, The Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Kunkel is currently serving as commander, 332d Air Expeditionary Wing, Air Combat Command, Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, Jordan.
Brig. Gen. Daniel T. Lasica will be assigned as director, current operations, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, The Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Lasica is currently serving as commander, 9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force- Afghanistan; commander NATO Air Command- Afghanistan; director, Air Force Central Command Air Component Coordination Element for U.S. Forces Afghanistan; and deputy commander, U.S. Air Forces-Afghanistan, Headquarters NATO’s Resolute Support, Kabul, Afghanistan
Brig. Gen. David B. Lyons will be assigned as inspector general, Headquarters Air Combat Command, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. Lyons is currently serving as the senior military assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense, Office of the Secretary of Defense, The Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
Brig. Gen. Charles B. McDaniel will be assigned as director, weather, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, The Pentagon, Washington, D.C. McDaniel is currently serving as the component commander, E-3A, NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force Command, NATO, NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany.
Brig. Gen. Christopher J. Niemi will be assigned as director, strategy, plans, and programs, Headquarters Pacific Air Forces, Joint Base Pearl Harbor- Hickam, Hawaii. Niemi is currently serving as chief of staff, Combined Joint Task Force, Operation Inherent Resolve, U.S. Central Command, Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.
Brig. Gen. Jeannine M. Ryder will be assigned as commander, 59th Medical Wing, Air Education and Training Command, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. Ryder is currently serving as commander, 711th Human Performance Wing; and chief, Air Force Nurse Corps, Air Force Research Laboratory, Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.
Brig. Gen. Christopher S. Sage will be assigned as commander, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, Air Combat Command, Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, Azraq, Jordan. Sage is currently serving as deputy U.S. Military Representative to the NATO Military Committee, Brussels, Belgium.
Brig. Gen. (select) Steven G. Behmer will be assigned as director, F-35 integration, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, The Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Behmer is currently serving as commander, 388th Fighter Wing, Air Combat Command, Hill Air Force Base, Utah.
Brig. Gen. (select) Eric A. Carney will be assigned as director, plans, programs, and requirements, Headquarters Air Education and Training Command, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. Carney is currently serving as chief, Commander’s Initiative Group, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Camp Humphreys, South Korea.
Brig. Gen. (select) Andrew M. Clark will be assigned as commander, 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, Air Combat Command, Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates. Clark is currently serving as senior military assistant to the Under Secretary of the Air Force, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, The Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
Brig. Gen. (select) Luke C.G. Cropsey will be assigned as director, Air Force Security Assistance and Cooperation Directorate, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center; and the director, international affairs, Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Cropsey is currently serving as the senior military assistant to the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, The Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
Brig. Gen. (select) Robert D. Davis will be assigned as commander, 378th Air Expeditionary Wing, U.S. Air Forces Central Command, Air Combat Command, Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia. Davis is currently serving as vice director, operations, Headquarters North American Aerospace Defense Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado.
Brig. Gen. (select) Gerald A. Donohue will be assigned as commander, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, U.S. Air Forces Central Command, Air Combat Command, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. Donohue is currently serving as chief innovation officer, Deputy Chief of Staff, Strategy, Integration, and Requirements, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, The Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
Brig. Gen. (select) Lyle K. Drew will be assigned as commander, 82d Training Wing, Air Education and Training Command, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. Drew is currently serving as director of staff, Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.
Brig. Gen. (select) Steven M. Gorski will be assigned as director, intelligence, Headquarters Air Combat Command, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. Gorski is currently serving as special assistant to commander, Air Combat Command, Headquarters Air Combat Command, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia.
Brig. Gen. (select) Justin R. Hoffman will be assigned as director, strategic plans, programs, and requirements, Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Florida. Hoffman is currently serving as director, legislative affairs, U.S. Special Operations Command, The Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
Brig. Gen. (select) Jason E. Lindsey will be assigned as program executive officer, Presidential and Executive Airlift, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Lindsey is currently serving as senior materiel leader, KC-46 System Program Manager, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.
Brig. Gen. (select) William L. Marshall will be assigned as deputy director, operations, strategic deterrence and nuclear integration, Headquarters U.S. Air Forces-Europe, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Marshall is currently serving as vice commander, 3rd Air Force, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and U.S. Air Forces in Africa, Ramstein Air Base, Germany.
Brig. Gen. (select) Jason M. Rueschhoff will be assigned as deputy commander, 7th Air Force; and chief of staff, Air Component Command, Pacific Air Forces, Osan Air Base, Japan. Rueschhoff is currently serving as executive assistant to the commander, Pacific Air Forces, Headquarters Pacific Air Forces, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.
Brig. Gen. (select) Frank R. Verdugo will be assigned as director, budget operations and personnel, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller, The Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Verdugo is currently serving as director, Air Force Budget Programs, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller, The Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
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