Tuesday, February 16, 2021

Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Iraqi Minister of Interior Othman Al-Ghanimi

 Feb. 16, 2021


Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke by phone today with Iraqi Minister of Interior Othman Al-Ghanimi regarding yesterday’s attack against U.S. and Coalition forces in Iraq. Both leaders condemned the attack and expressed condolences for the individual who was killed and the others who were wounded.  

Secretary Austin and Minister Al-Ghanimi discussed the importance of a robust and expeditious investigation holding the perpetrators accountable for the attack, and Secretary Austin offered U.S. support to the Ministry of Interior as it conducts the investigation.  

Both leaders reaffirmed their joint commitment to a strong U.S.-Iraqi partnership and the continued commitment to the defeat ISIS mission shared by the U.S., Iraq, and Coalition forces.

New Officials Sworn-In at the Department of Defense

 Feb. 16, 2021


The following individuals have been sworn-in virtually or in-person from Feb. 10, 2021, through today, Feb. 16, 2021. 

  • Joseph Bryan, Special Assistant to the Secretary of Defense (Senior Advisor, Climate)
  • Leo Cruz, Special Assistant, Office of the Secretary of the Navy
  • Bishop Garrison, Senior Advisor for Human Capital and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • William Goodwin, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Secretary of the Army
  • Ahmed Khan, Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisition
  • Andy Oare, Director of Digital Media, Office of the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs
  • Molly Papermaster, Special Assistant, Office of the Secretary of the Navy
  • Kim Quarantello, Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs
  • Haley Ring, Special Assistant to the White House Liaison Office
  • Jesse Salazar, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Policy
  • Ian Staples, Special Assistant to the Secretary of Defense (Chief, Acquisition, Technology & Logistics)
  • Peri Tenenbaum, Attorney Advisor, Office of the General Counsel, Department of the Air Force
  • Rebecca Zimmerman, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia

For the lists of personnel sworn-in previously, please see the releases on Jan. 20, 2021, and Feb. 9, 2021.

Polar Plunge

 

A Marine conducts ice-breaking drills during extreme cold weather training in Setermoen, Norway, Jan. 31, 2021.

Colorful Connection

 

The USS Barry and the Japanese ship Towada sail connected during a replenishment in the East China Sea, Feb. 10, 2021.

Ceremonial Fire

 

Marines fire blank rounds for a 21-gun salute during a Presidents Day ceremony at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 15, 2021.

Air Power Demo

 

A Navy MH-60R Seahawk helicopter flies alongside other aircraft during an air power demonstration over the Pacific Ocean, Feb. 15, 2021.

FEMA Acting Administrator Robert J. Fenton Jr. and Air Force Gen. Glen D. VanHerck, Commander, U.S. Northern Command, Brief the Media on DOD's Support to COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution

 Feb. 16, 2021

FEMA Acting Administrator Robert J. Fenton Jr.; Air Force Gen. Glen D. VanHerck, commander, U.S. Northern Command

STAFF:  We're ready to go.

(UNKNOWN):  Yeah.

(UNKNOWN):  Is it snowing outside?

STAFF:  Jeez, I haven't seen a window in --

(Laughter.)

(UNKNOWN):  -- (inaudible) 3:00.

STAFF:  All right, I want to thank all of you for joining us today.  In just a moment, we'll turn it over to acting FEMA Administrator Bob Fenton and NORTHCOM Commander General Glen VanHerck.  They are here to talk with you -- or, well, they're here via phone to talk with you about the whole of nation COVID response and specifically support at community vaccination centers.

To all of the media that we've got on the phone lines, going to remind you the same reminder we give -- please mute your devices if you're not actually speaking.  Got to have that happen, otherwise this -- this -- you know, all of the -- all of the feedback and all of that.

So without any further ado, we'll get moving.  First up is acting FEMA Administrator Mr. Fenton.

ACTING ADMINISTRATOR ROBERT J. FENTON JR.:  Hey, thank you for joining us today and appreciate being here today with General VanHerck.  Along with a number of our partners, including -- not only including DOD but Health and Human Services and many other federal agencies, we are committed to ensuring every one that wants a vaccination can get one.

I'd also like to start by thanking Secretary Austin, as well as General VanHerck again, for their continuous, unwavering support as a part of whole of government response to COVID-19.  I would also like to thank our partners from CDC, who have been instrumental in partnering with FEMA as we focus on the President's strategy for combating COVID.

This is the most pressing ethical and moral imperative of our time.  Make no mistake about it, when we get through this, and we will get through this together, it will be because of the strength of the partnerships and the resiliency we build in our communities.

This week, we celebrated the opening of the community vaccination centers in Oakland and Los Angeles and DOD is playing a critical role here at the L.A. site -- in fact, all of the vaccinators are from the Department of Defense -- and we couldn't do this support without the partnerships like this.

In addition to these two sites, the White House has announced the opening of five additional federal (inaudible) sites and -- and more than -- and more to come -- two located in Texas and in New York -- in Texas, Arlington, Dallas and Houston, and New York in Queens and Brooklyn.

These pilot sites are designed to augment the safe, ongoing vaccination efforts.  Together, we will work with them to ensure that we increase the operational throughput of those that need vaccines and we're working to connect all of the sites, from sites that the states are working to sites set up at the pharmacies to sites we're here and now setting up, to support social, vulnerable populations.

(Inaudible) with the President's strategy to combat COVID, FEMA’s plans include concrete actions to assist, augment and expedite equitable vaccination to the United States.  One of the ways we're doing this is providing grant financial assistance.  We've already authorized $3.2 billion in the first three weeks of the Biden administration to 40 states and territories, also providing federal personnel, equipment and supplies from a number of federal agencies to many sites across the country, and as I said, we're now opening up specific sites that are primarily federally supported but state managed here in Oakland and Los Angeles.

The pilot -- and we will continue to learn as we operate this site.  It's important to understand the way that we selected and focused on these sites.  We looked at large population areas, we used the CDC social vulnerability index, as well as census data to look at communities that were most (inaudible).

(Inaudible) is developing sites that can handle from several hundred to several thousand vaccinations a day.  This site here is intended to, like, do 3,000 today, we'll ramp up to about 6,000 vaccines per day, to include supporting mobile sites throughout the community to hit those hard to reach population areas.

There's (inaudible) sites that we will open up, including, as you might've heard last -- this week, we've gone ahead and partnered with the pharmacies and provided a million doses out to the pharmacies next week.  That will increase to two million doses to help them.  In California, that's CVS.  The other thing is in order to do that, we need to make sure that the supply is there (inaudible) next week but we actually project out three weeks so there's a confidence there will -- there to support that and that's increased each and every week since January 20th from a little bit over 8 million doses for the United States per week to 13.5 million doses now.

Just end with the president has made it clear that equitable access is paramount.  FEMA established a Civil Rights Advisory Group to ensure equity in the allocation of scarce resources, our (audio gap).  Also, housing and disability integration specialists (inaudible) in each state and working to support these needs.

Let me just close with a couple things and let me reiterate, FEMA is committed to ensuring everyone who wants a vaccine can get one.  Two, everyone has a role to play in vaccinations, support your family, friends, and neighbors, and the need to help them get an appointment or getting a vaccination.

And lastly, we need continue to take safety precautions, wear a mask, practice social distancing, and get vaccinated.  We're all a part of the solution for this pandemic safety.

STAFF:  And for all of you on the line as well, I'd like to repeat, please if you're not speaking please have your device on mute.  We're getting -- we're getting a little bit of feedback making it hard to share this information.  Thank you.  Without -- without -- without any further, NORTHCOM Commander General Glen VanHerck.

STAFF:  Thank you.

GENERAL GLEN D. VANHERCK:  Hey, thanks Bob, I -- I really appreciate the (inaudible) as we talk to the Pentagon press corps.  I think it's important they understand the roles and responsibilities.  And to the Pentagon press corps, thanks for your time.  I look forward to talking to you about COVID today but more importantly further in the future about other NORTHCOM equities and NORAD equities moving forward.

After administrator Fenton and I completed a walk-through of the site, and then a conference with the governor and local leaders here today, I can tell you that the site is impressive, it is ramping up, and it is as planned right on time for today, despite what you've heard.  All along we worked with FEMA and the -- the department and the target go for this site was 16 February and that was delivered upon.  The site is ramping up quickly and it is like the FEMA administrator said, it will get toward 6,000 vaccinations per day.

As the commander of NORTHCOM and NORAD, I have a couple of missions.  First, is defending North America in my NORAD hat, in my NORTHCOM hat defending the United States of America.  We also provide defense support of civil authorities.  All of those are no-fail missions.

I want to tell is the threat to our homeland is absolutely COVID and that's what we're attacking here today.  It's important to realize that -- that it is a threat and we have to take an operational perspective.  That is a no-fail admission.

In addition to the fact that defense support of civil authorities is no fail as well and we take great pride in that.  I'll tell you the Secretary of Defense has been clear.  Secretary Austin is a top priority as it is for the administration.  He said that DOD can bring capability and capacity and that's exactly what we're doing and we're pretty good at it. And we look forward to bringing more.  That's what you had ongoing here in California today.  The first of its kind, a state-led, federally supported with DOD Title 10 active-duty forces.

I can't overemphasize the incredible partnership with FEMA that made this happen and working with the state and our local authorities here as well as the -- the California National Guard.  As you're well aware, FEMA's request for our forces from DOD including 100 teams, 50 type 1 teams, 222 personnel, and 50 type 2 teams of 139 personnel.

I want to make it clear how we're sourcing those teams as we go forward, I think there's a little bit of confusion.  So, my first request for forces as the NORTHCOM commander was the first five teams.  That was for all type 1 teams and it included 1,110 personnel total.  I have asked the Secretary and through the joint staff for the additional 95 teams as well.

Which importantly is this -- the sourcing for that is been -- has been tranches and so what I have been allocated as the commander of NORTHCOM is the first two tranches which is the first five type 1 team -- teams and then 10 type 1 teams in the second tranche along with 10 type 2 teams in the second tranche and that was about 3,700 personnel that are allocated to prepare to deploy.  They haven't been given a tasking to deploy at this time.

This is clearly a whole government effort and we've been assisting for over a year for this whole government effort to get after this threat of COVID.  I'd just like to quickly tell you that we've provided over 4,200 DOD personnel in support of FEMA mission assignments in 14 states, 44 separate locations, 63 hospitals, doing everything from our original response to embedding in local hospitals and as you know today, standing at this COVID vaccination center. 

Right now what we have is we're completing our mission here in California for folks embedded in the hospitals.  We still maintain our folks in Arizona, we have folks in Texas, and we have folks in the Navajo Nation.

I'm -- I'm encouraged by the downward trends I see and hopefully, we'll continue moving forward as the vaccine moves forward and not have to have more folks in the hospitals but we're prepared to do so if we can.  You heard Mr. Fenton talk about the way forward with regards to further sites and so I won't go into detail but I will tell you, this site here on 16 February, type 1 provided by the -- the U.S. Army, 222 personnel.

We'll provide three sites, we'll have the Air Force in a type 1 team in Houston, we'll have a -- the Army in a type 2 team in -- in the Dallas area along with the United States Marine Corps. 24 February we should be up and running administering vaccines.  In the New York area also on 24 February, in Queens, and Brooklyn -- in Queens, we'll have a Navy type 2 team and we'll have an Air Force type 2 team in Brooklyn.

I want to be clear with regards to the New Jersey support which is out in the public as well.  That is separate from the FEMA request for 100 teams, that support is being provided -- provided by troops that the Secretary of Defense has already allocated to me to support hospitals.

Out of those forces I'm carving out teams that will support not only the New Jersey area but the U.S. Virgin Islands in the -- in the not too distant future.  New Jersey actually, site one, the first team was effective on 14 February and administering shots.  We're working with FEMA on the site two and site three and the potential exists for a fourth site in New Jersey.

Two sites currently being worked with FEMA in the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, and St. Croix.  We think they'll be about the first or second of March but don't hold me to that.  Each of those teams in New Jersey and the U.S. Virgin Islands are 25 person teams strictly medical, no support there, (inaudible) and provide vaccinations and I'll pause there and we'll take your questions.

STAFF:  Okay.  So, yes, we will stop and take a couple of questions.  When asking a question please let us know which of the principals you're addressing the question to.  First up we'll go to the phones.  For AP, Lolita Baldor, please.

Q:  Thanks so much.  I just want to let you all know that I think toward the end we could hear the General stated clearly that early on particularly we could not hear the FEMA Administrator very well at all.  It -- it was very muffled and I think we missed large chunks of his conversation, just FYI.

I have questions for Mr. Fenton.  Do you still expect that you would use and need the full 100 military teams?  And how quickly do you think you'll be able to get those out to various parts of the country?  And for the General, I don't know if either -- either you or Mr. Fenton, if you could explain a little bit to us about the difference between the 100 teams -- 100 vaccination centers that the Biden administration has said they want to set up and how that number jives with the 100 military teams or the other teams that the General has talked about?  Thank you.

MR. FENTON:  Yeah, this is Bob Fenton, acting Administrator of FEMA.  Hopefully you can hear me better now.

Q:  Yes, a little better, thank you.

MR. FENTON:  Okay.  So how did we get to the 100 teams?  What we did is we looked at -- as vaccine becomes more available and we get more points, in March and April another vaccine comes on, we need to make sure we have the throughput in the system to vaccinate people.

And so we looked at 100 teams as having the capability to vaccinate over 400,000 people per day.  For example, right now in the United States, we're up to vaccinating 1.67 million people today -- 1.67 million people a day.

So as vaccine increases or supply increases in the out months, we need to have other ability to vaccinate people.  How do we do that?  One, we're providing funding, the $3.2 billion that I talked about, to state and local governments to bring on their capability and resources.  Two, the President's authorized the National Guard 100 percent to bring on more resources from the National Guard.  Three, we're augmenting states and local governments with gaps of personnel from the federal side, whether they be vaccinators, equipment supplies, maybe locations to assist them in vaccinating.

But we always knew along the way we would have to provide predominantly federally supported sites, which today is a pilot of these federal sites.  These will continue to grow as supply comes onboard.  In addition to what we're doing through the states and the different sites they're using, whether it be medical facilities, those kinds of things, we're directly vaccinating this -- the (inaudible) nursing facilities and healthcare clinical homes.

And then we're also sending vaccines to the pharmaceutical -- the pharmacies, and sent a million doses last week, two million doses next week.  And so we want to use all of the above to vaccinate Americans.  How much will we have to get to that 100 teams?  It depends on how much the pharmacies can do, how much states and local governments can handle and what is the gap?  We wanted to make sure we had the capabilities to go up to almost 500,000 vaccines a day.  That's what the 100 teams buys us.  How much we'll use will depend on vaccine supply and the capability of state and local government, the pharmacies and other avenues.

GEN. VANHERCK:  Yeah, to answer your second question, the -- the teams, the 100 teams were designed for high capacity -- 6,000 vaccines per day for a type one team and -- and for type two, 3,000 per day.  That's all based on FEMA's request.

The -- the smaller sites in New Jersey did not have a requirement for that capacity.  And so I was able to take those forces from forces I already had allocated to me to meet the demand signal by FEMA -- not DOD, by FEMA for those sites.

STAFF:  Okay.  Next up we'll take -- we'll take one from the floor here.  Tara Copp?

Q:  Hi, thank you for doing this.  For General VanHerck, could you describe what the military personnel that will be assigned to the Dallas and Arlington sites, what they will actually be doing?  And then for either one of you, just a numbers clarification -- the 3,700, are they all active duty?  And is it 3,700 plus the 1,100 that have already been sent or is it 3,700 total?  Thank you.

GEN. VANHERCK:  Yeah, let me answer that last question first.  They're all active duty.  Only 222 have been sent, plus the 25 that I sent to New Jersey.  They're all on prepare to deploy orders, they've been allocated to me as the Commander to NORTHCOM to utilize for mission assignments, approved by the Secretary at the request of FEMA.

So those forces are ready to go and they're all active duty.  With regards to your -- your -- your first question, could you remind me of that?  I forgot that one.

Q:  If you could describe what, if -- you know, you're -- a civilian going to the Dallas or Arlington or Houston sites, what exactly will they see military personnel doing?  And then I'm still confused, I'm sorry, on the number.  Is it 3,700 total or is it 3,700 plus 1,100 that are on prepared to deploy?

GEN. VANHERCK:  The 222 person team has 80 persons assigned to it that will administer vaccines.  In addition to that, as other support -- for pharmacists, for example, you have to have pharmacy techs in pharmacies to prepare the vaccine.  You have to have runners, et cetera, to distribute the vaccine. 

As folks pull into this site where you drive in, we have to have support personnel who screen those persons, ensure that they've had a -- a -- a proper screening ahead of the vaccine, in addition to have supervisors that are nurses, such as RNs, providing supervisory roles over medics that are providing the vaccines, and we also have medical providers who are supervising after the vaccine to ensure there's no complications.

So gets pretty complicated to a person who may have the -- a -- a post-vaccine event that would be handled by a -- a -- a military active duty person providing that support.  I hope that answers your question.

STAFF:  (Inaudible).  Next up -- Lucas.

Q:  General, is the National Guard mission in Washington DC competing with National Guard troops that you need to help administer the vaccine?

GEN. VANHERCK:  Hey Lucas, those -- those National Guard troops are not mine.  That -- that would be a better question for General Hokanson or FEMA here.  I -- I am not aware of any competition for those National Guard folks.

Q:  Thank you.

STAFF:  Okay, we'll go back to the phone lines.  We've got Jared Zuba from Al-Monitor.

Q:  Hi, no question at this time.  Sorry.

STAFF:  Okay, thanks.  Back to the floor.  Tom?

Q:  Hi, thank you for doing this.  Yesterday, some of the governors sent a letter to President Biden asking for a sort of a national approach to the whole vaccination effort.  Is this part of what you're hearing from the White House and how does those requests from those governors to the President yesterday affect, like, your announcing today and -- and looking forward to doing?

MR. FENTON:  So the President has a national plan (inaudible) his -- his strategy for the COVID-19 response and pandemic record has been -- we'll brief you today, here's what that strategy is, so (inaudible) providing the resources to states and local governments.  So 100 percent funding for any support to vaccinate.  It then provides federal resources to states and local governments if they need certain capabilities, specific personnel, expertise whether it be medical, or other capability.  It made the National Guard 100 percent reimbursable, so that they could leverage the National Guard to the fullest extent possible. 

And then lastly, increase throughput by providing primarily federally supported sites which is (inaudible).  So we're doing this now in California, two locations, then we're moving on to Texas, New York, and the White House will announce other locations that we're working on. 

The key and underlying principle to the president's plan is that that we need equity and that's no inequity as far as who we vaccinate.  And we focus on the most socially vulnerable populations when we do that.  So the president does have a strategy, we’re following that strategy, and it includes increasing supply in each week, which we have done, and then providing a dedicated number, that goes through which has happened. 

STAFF:  Okay, next up, Oren? 

Q:  Is FEMA bringing its own supply of vaccines to these sites that require -- will use type one and type two teams, or is it using the state supply of vaccines?  And if you're aiming for 400,000 a day, or the capability to do that it seems by the math you're going to need many more type one and type two teams.  Are there outstanding requests for sites like these from states that have not been fulfilled? 

MR. FENTON:  Yes, so let's start with the first question here.  And there are no outstanding requests in the system right now, this is part of a pilot to build this federal capability and we've reached out to states. 

As far as dedicated supply, this is a supply that is above and beyond what the state's allocation is.  So this week the dedicated total was 11 million.

This is a vaccine split across the United States – next week it'll be 13.5 million, so it’ll increase next week and no less than that, or more than in each of the proceeding weeks after that after three weeks. 

So this is a dedicated supply, above and beyond the state allocation, above and beyond what the pharmacies are achieving in a pilot phase right now.  What we’re working through is the criteria for that pilot.  Large population areas using the CDC Social Vulnerability Index to focus on populations at risk that -- to ensure equity in the vaccination of individuals. 

STAFF:  Okay.  Hey this is Captain Kunze, we're going to have time for one last question.  Thanks. 

STAFF:  Then we'll stay on the floor here.  Kristina? 

Q:  Great.  Thank you for doing this.  Just to clarify, I think you said 500,000 vaccines a day, or did you say 400,000?  And when will this capacity be up and running? 

STAFF:  I'm sorry, I missed the first part of your question, if you could ask it again, please? 

Q:  Yes.  Did you say 400,000 or 500,000 vaccines a day?  And when will this capacity be up and running? 

MR. FENTON:  So for each type one site that's 6,000 vaccinations per day.  So we have two sites here in California that are primarily federally supported, state managed.  So these sites will increase to three sites in Texas, two of those will be type two which have a throughput of 3,000 per day and one of them will be type one which is a 6,000 throughput. 

In New York it will be two type twos which are 3,000 per day.  So that's the throughput per day.  What I said when I talked about 400,000 plus is if you took the 50 – when someone asked me, how did I get to 100 teams, I simply took 50 type ones and 50 type twos which would be 300,000 per day using that 6,000 per day and 150,000 per day which would be 50 type twos and projected a need over months to give DOD a demand signal. 

So as supply ramped up that we had enough throughput to vaccinate people.  That doesn't mean it all comes out at one point -- this is a phased operation (inaudible) supply and if there's other available throughputs such as all of the state and local sites out there -- the pharmacies, those will be taken into account. 

So I don't think we will go past the 100 sites.  In fact, I anticipate the number to be less than that, but I wanted to make sure I had that full amount ready and sent DOD a big enough demand signal that if we did need it that much in a short period of time, they were ready for the mission. 

Q:  Got it.  Thank you. 

STAFF:  All right, folks, that's all the time we have for questions today.  I want to thank you for joining us, and for the work you do.  Have a great day.

NATO Defense Ministerial Background Briefing

 Feb. 16, 2021


STAFF:  I'm going to get ready and get started here. 

So this afternoon we have (senior defense official one) the ***  and (senior defense official two) the *** They are here to discuss the NATO Defense Ministerial and the Department's priorities for the event. 

In line with the ground rules in the media advisory, this interview is on background attributable to U.S. Senior Defense Officials.  So when you see the transcript later, *** will be identified as Senior Defense Official one, *** is Senior Defense Official two. 

So (senior defense official one) in a moment is going to offer some opening remarks. 

Following the opening remarks, I will call on reporters for questions.  We have about 20 minutes or so, so I'd ask that you keep the focus on the topic at hand and keep it to one question please.

With that, (senior defense official one), the floor is yours.

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL ONE:  Thanks so much and thank you all for your patience as we had tech adventures.  So good afternoon, I would like to thank you all for the opportunity to talk about the upcoming NATO Defense Ministerial and help communicate the importance of this ministerial to the Department.

I want to spend a few minutes just offering some context about the Department's priorities for the ministerial.  As you all are no doubt aware, this will be the administration's first engagement with the NATO alliance and with the international community.

The secretary's first priority will be to carry forward the message that you heard from the president at the State Department and at the Defense Department in recent weeks.  He underscored that diplomacy and working with our allies and partners is the basis for our global power and collective security. 

The secretary intends to assure our allies that the United States' commitment to the NATO alliance and to Article 5 remains ironclad.  He will reinforce that the United States is committed to consulting on issues that impact allies, including our global force posture review and the missions in Afghanistan and Iraq.

And the secretary is looking forward to virtually meeting and hearing from NATO counterparts and to -- and to -- and to addressing important issues including:  strengthening our collective deterrence and defense to protect our populations, our most important duty; reinforcing allies shared responsibility to procure, prepare, and provide the ready forces and capabilities necessary to accomplish this -- this duty; reviewing Russia's destabilizing activities; and discussing the challenges presented by China; reviewing our operations, specifically the Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan and the NATO Mission in Iraq; and hearing about the secretary general's NATO 2030 initiative to ensure the alliance remains strong militarily, becomes stronger politically, and takes on a more global view.

With that, (senior defense official two) and I look forward to your questions.  Thank you.

STAFF:  All right, we'll start in the room with Bob, Bob Burns from A.P.

Q:  Hey, this is Bob Burns with A.P.  On the -- on the issue of Afghanistan, I don't know which one to address, but -- so the question obviously about the May 1st deadline looms, approaching quickly.  Can you say that -- that Secretary Austin will express the administration's view on that at this point? 

And in a related Afghanistan question, in -- you know, in your view -- in the administration's view, what incentive does the Taliban have to accept any delay of that deadline?  Why -- why would they do that?

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL ONE:  Thanks for that question, Bob, appreciate it.  So Afghanistan is, of course, on the agenda for the NATO Defense Ministerial and Secretary Austin looks forward to consulting with NATO defense allies on it.

As you know, of course, the Department is participating in an administration-wide review and there have not been any decisions on Afghanistan troop levels.  The United States and NATO went into Afghanistan together, we will adjust together, and if the time is right we will leave together.

On your final point regarding Taliban incentives, I would say right now there is this whole-of-government review that the Department of Defense is actively participating in, and I think we can assume they'll be looking at all the different aspects of that conflict.

Would you like to add anything?

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL TWO:  Yes, I guess I'd just add to that that, you know, one of the dimensions, of course, is reviewing the U.S.-Taliban agreement including Taliban compliance with that agreement.  And so as to their incentive, I think there's every incentive for them to -- to live up to that agreement. 

And -- and -- and we'll see how it turns out in the review, but -- you know, I think that it -- it will play into how -- how our government, you know, comes to a conclusion on where we should go.  And then we will look forward to consulting with our allies at NATO as well in the -- in the days and weeks to come.

STAFF:  Okay, thank you.  Let's go to, Tom.

Q:  Yes, obviously on Afghanistan -- and you mentioned compliance, Jens Stoltenberg just yesterday said there's a need for the Taliban to do more when it comes to delivering on their commitments.  Would you agree to that?  Both of you, if you could, address that?

And also, there was a USIP study, as you all know, mandated by Congress.  And General Joe Dunford, former chairman and -- a lot of Afghan time, he said, if the U.S. leaves precipitously you could likely have a civil war and the terrorists could reconstitute in 18 to 36 months.  I wonder if you could both address that.  Does that ring true to you from what you know?

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL ONE:  Thanks for that -- for that question.  I would say that violence must go down.  I think as you heard from the secretary general yesterday, we all are in agreement that we do not want Afghanistan to become a safe haven for international terrorism again.

My understanding is that the review being conducted across the government is -- is broad and deep.  And so I'm fully confident that folks are deeply cognizant of the USIP study and all of the, kind of, insights from the smart folks that -- that have conducted it.

Do you want to add anything?

STAFF:  Okay.  All right, let's jump over to the phones --

Q:  Wait --

(CROSSTALK)

Q:  -- You said "violence must go down."  If it doesn't go down, therefore, troops shouldn't leave?

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL ONE:  I am not saying that.  I'm saying that there is a desire across the board for violence to go down in Afghanistan.

STAFF:  Okay.  All right, let's jump to the phones now so I'm keeping it -- keeping it even as possible.  Sylvie from AFP?

Q:  Hello, thank you.  I would like to ask a question about Iraq.  Does the latest rocket attack in Erbil -- does it change the position of the administration on the strategy in Iraq?

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL:  Thank you very much for that question.  I'll refer you all to the readout that Secretary Austin just released of his call with the Iraqi defense minister.  He held that call just hours ago. 

I'd also refer you to the statement by Secretary of State Blinken yesterday.  It was a strong and powerful statement.

Obviously, the Department of Defense expresses our condolences to the injured service member, as well as to the family and friends of the contractor killed, and to those who were injured.

Would you like to add on that?

STAFF:  Okay.  All right, thank you very much.  Staying to the phones for the second -- or for the next question, let's go to Helene Cooper from The New York Times.

Q:  Hi, thanks for doing this.  I'd like to stay on Iraq.  The Trump administration sort of had a red line that an American killed was basically a line they did not want to see crossed.  Does the Biden administration have a similar red line?

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL:  Thanks for that question, Helene.  Right now, I think folks are studying hard the events that have happened in Iraq over the last 24 hours. 

You have seen various folks, including, of course, the Secretary of Defense, reach out to their counterparts and are looking closely at the situation and what makes sense from a U.S. policy perspective.

I should note, since we are, of course, trying to talk about the NATO defense ministerial today, Iraq will be on the agenda for the ministerial later this week and we are enthusiastic about the continued and, indeed, enhanced NATO focus on security and stability in Iraq.

STAFF:  Thank you.  Barbara Starr?

Q:  I wanted to turn to ask you about Russia at the ministerial.  Other than referring to generally Russia's destabilizing activities, what is the approach on Russia, on -- at the ministerial agenda?  What are the top priorities to be discussed about Russia specifically?  And at this point, what does the U.S., the Department of Defense need to see from Russia to be able to trust them?

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL ONE:  Great, thank you so much for those questions.  Look, the -- the -- the first session of the defense ministerial is going to focus on the alliance, on the strength of deterrence and defense, and I think that is inextricably tied to how one thinks about Russia, of course.

I mean, at the end of the day, NATO's most important function is to present a credible deterrence and defense.  That means protecting our populations and our territory.  We all share in that responsibility.  I do think that you are going to see at this ministerial a real focus on revitalizing the U.S. relationship with the alliance, a change in our tone and approach, a desire to work with our allies and partners.

And as I noted, that is all inextricably tied to what we have seen from Russia.  The -- you know, the -- the Secretary -- Secretary Austin talks about how we cannot succeed on our own, about this unparalleled network of allies, and I think that should be, in and of itself, a really strong and notable signal to Russia, whose destabilizing and irresponsible behavior just has -- has only continued to be profoundly unhelpful.  Do you want to add on that?

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL TWO:  Yeah, I'll just go just a little bit deeper on -- on Russia.  I mean, it's very apparent Russia's a threat to all NATO allies, including the United States.  Russia erodes transparency and predict -- predictability.  They are using military force to achieve their goals.  They support proxy groups and sow chaos and doubt, and undermining the rules-based international order.

So this administration has already made clear that we will work with Russia to advance our own interests while holding them to account for their reckless and aggressive actions.  And so we'll look forward to discussing that with our -- our allies this week.

Q:  I'm sorry but very quickly -- as you sit here today, how does Russia, in your views, specifically threaten the United States?

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL ONE:  I think we see a desire by Russia to undermine security and stability around the world with its authoritarian approach.  We see this also with its cooperation with China, a marriage of convenience -- excuse me, a partnership of convenience, as General Wolters has referred to it. 

That undermines global security and it has been in the U.S. interest and in NATO's interest over the last 72 years to have a -- an international rules-based order.  We've seen, whether it's through the hybrid warfare approach, through irresponsible use of cyber, we have just repeatedly seen examples where the Russians have tried to undermine security and stability.

STAFF:  OK.  (Inaudible)?

Q:  Thank you.

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL ONE:  Sorry I didn't (inaudible).

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL TWO:  Nope, it's good.

Q:  You mentioned about Afghanistan, that we stay together, we leave together.  Does this apply also to Iraq?

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL ONE:  I would say we will be consulting -- thank you for that question, first of all -- thank -- we are going to be consulting -- defense ministers will be consulting on Iraq during the defense ministerial and that consultation will be -- will be meaningful, of course.

The Defense Department is committed to supporting Iraq's long term security, stability and prosperity and to the enduring defeat of ISIS.  As I noted earlier, we are enthusiastic about and welcome NATO's increased -- increased focus on Iraq, its increased and expanded role on NATO Mission Iraq.

I would just underscore, given your question, that the department, as you know – right now , is in the throes of conducting a Global Force Posture Review.  That's happening with our interagency partners.  So I wouldn't want to comment obviously on the fruits of a review that I think just started but -- but I -- I would expect that -- that that would be relevant here.

STAFF:  OK.  Tara?

Q:  Thanks.  You know, previous ministerials have also given each of the defense ministers an opportunity to have these offline tops -- topics.  How does that happen in an online ministerial?  And related to that, with all of the review of global force posture, will there be another look at potentially relocating some forces to Poland?  That -- some of those decisions had been in process but I think you're on pause right now.

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL ONE:  Yeah, thanks so much for -- for that question.  This virtual ministerial is, of course, on one level, somewhat logistically easier, as you can imagine, since we're not all traveling, but -- but it -- it does inevitably just create, you know, new opportunities and new challenges.  And so we've tried to facilitate the Secretary engaging his counterpart, for example, the NATO Secretary General, which -- which he has been able to do.

And we're obviously tightly linked up with -- with folks across Brussels, in a way to try to ensure that we're well set for the ministerial and -- and for the margins, but as you know, of course, this being the fourth virtual defense ministerial, consultations are the priority but as we've all tried to figure out in COVID times, it's a little bit more complicated.

On the Global Force Posture Review, that will be looking holistically at U.S. global force posture and seeing how and in what ways it is or is not lined up with the -- with the departments and frankly the national security level strategy.

I -- I would expect, of course, that Europe will be under -- our -- our -- our posture distribution in -- in Europe will be explored through it.  To be very clear, the posture in Europe is critical to U.S. national security interests and I would in no way expect to see anything that would look like, say, a withdrawal along those lines.  Do you want to add to that?

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL TWO:  Yeah, sure.  I'll also note that the timing is actually very interesting here because Secretary Austin obviously just got in, has been doing a lot of initial phone calls with allies.  And so last week, he actually talked to his Polish counterpart, and I think we put a readout of that up online. 

But yeah, as we're looking at the -- at -- at the Global Posture Review, obviously Poland's included in that, Germany, Italy, any place that we have forces because it is so -- it's such a comprehensive review.  But that -- that being said, one of the President's key priorities for the review is reinforcing the relationships with allies as we confront global challenges.  And so that will be taken into context throughout this review, which is -- is going to be ongoing for the next couple of months.

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL ONE:  Yeah, I would just underscore on that that there will be consultations across the interagency and with allies and partners ...

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL TWO:  Definitely -- that's right.

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL ONE:  ... absolutely, as -- as this review is going on.  Consultation really is -- is kind of the name of the game here.

(CROSSTALK)

Q:  ... do you anticipate Poland coming up at the ministerial?

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL ONE:  The U.S. posture in Poland at the ministerial?

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL TWO:  I -- I don't think it will, no.  No, we had a good discussion last week with -- you know, between Secretary Austin and Minister Blaszczak but I think that there are larger issues that the alliance will be dealing with as a whole, and obviously Poland has a seat at the table for those discussions.

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL ONE:  So Secretary Austin will just -- you know, he will talk about the Global Force Posture Review that has just kicked off, obviously he will signal his desire to consult and to -- to hear from -- from -- from our allies in an effort to revitalize our relationship with -- with the alliance.  But I won't express sort of specifics on that.

STAFF:  OK.  I need to jump back to the phones.  Let me jump back to the phones here.  I'll come back to the room. 

Q:  Are you doing bilateral meetings with us or not?  No?

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL ONE:  Should I take that or….  OK.  Thanks for that.

(CROSSTALK)

STAFF:  Real quick response.

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL ONE:  There -- effectively there are not bilateral meanings tied to the defense ministerial but he's been doing -- the secretary has been doing just a slew of those over the last few days as you no doubt have seen.  He has been kept quite busy on that.

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL TWO:  That's right.

STAFF:  All right, let me jump back to the phones so Mr. Kirby doesn't get any upset emails, rightfully so of course.  Kristina Mason, let's go to you from Financial Times.  All right, we'll jump over to Paul Sonne from Washington Post. Paul?

 

Q:  Hey there, thanks for doing this.  I had two questions.  One, can you tell us what the timing is on the Afghan review and is there a risk that the internal administration timing on when that review is completed will sort of be overtaken by events on the ground?

And my second question is obviously in past NATO summits in the past four years, it has been quite stormy between the U.S. allegation and the Trump administration and NATO allies.  Do you guys have a plan in place to sort of explain the new U.S. position, apologize for some of those -- some of that pressure that was applied or behavior by the Trump administration?  Can you give us a sense of what your plan is going in as the first meeting from the administration?

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL ONE:  Thanks so much for that, Paul.  So on the first one, as you all know, the administration is effectively brand new and so it would make a lot of sense to review all -- some -- some key issues.  Right? Global Force Posture Review and obviously our way forward in Afghanistan.

I would say folks are taking this review very seriously.  It is consuming a lot of senior leader time and folks are deeply cognizant of the calendar, of course, which inevitably comes up whenever -- whenever someone raises the issue of the review.

On -- on your second question, Paul, you know I would say the secretary is really focused on trying to revitalize our relationship with the alliance.  I think it is fair to say that over the last four years the public perception of a U.S. commitment and our intent may have been a little bit unclear.

If you watched the Secretary General's press conference yesterday, he acknowledged that there had been some bumpy conversations over the last -- over the last four years.

And so I think what you'll hear from Secretary Austin is you will hear a change in tone and a change in approach, while also building on and recognizing the tremendous progress that NATO has made since 2014.

So he is going to underscore that diplomacy and working with our allies and partners is the basis for our global power.  I would just remind you, of course, Paul, that the secretary's very first call was with the NATO secretary general.  That of course does not just happen by accident. 

It was to send a strong message of the value that we -- that the administration places on the alliance, as I noted earlier, Secretary Austin likes to remind us we cannot succeed on our own.  So he will go into the defense ministerial with that -- with that approach, with that posture where he will underscore the importance of revitalizing our relationship with the alliance and his deep desire to consult with the alliance.  Do you want to answer that?

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL TWO:  No, that's it.

STAFF:  OK.  And we'll go to one more on the phones and we'll come back into the room.  Nancy from Wall Street Journal.

Q:  Thank you.  I was hoping if you could clarify something for me.  I'm having a hard time understanding; on one hand the Biden administration is that America's back and at the same time it's saying that there are reviews happening and therefore it can't sort of offer any specifics about how that return to the world stage happened.

Is there any sort of specific request that's going to NATO, any specific plan on drawn down in Germany, for example, or is the message really more about tone versus specifics ?  And if so, how do you reconcile a message of a change in policy without any specifics behind it to show those allies that it's not just a rhetoric?

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL ONE:  Thanks so much for that, Nancy.  Appreciate it.  So here's what I would say.  NATO has done a lot post 2014.  It's -- I mean obviously it has done a lot in the last 72 years but post 2014 we have seen a whole lot happen in the global security environment and a whole lot happen in the global security environment and a whole lot of really important work by NATO.

And I think the secretary will applaud that.  It is of course only responsible for a new administration to come in and review the previous commitments.  The commitments of the previous administration and think through how those commitments do or do not align with -- with its broader strategy.

So in -- in particular what I think you're asking is, so what -- what is the message.  I think there's a couple messages.  One, desire to consult with our allies.  Two, revitalizing our relationship with the alliance.  And three, and I think this may be especially where you're trying to -- trying to get us, which is we need to strengthen deterrence and defense.

That is job number one for NATO.  We all share in that responsibility to procure, prepare and provide ready forces and capabilities.  So you will hear from the secretary that as we are looking at this evolving security environment, it is incumbent on all of us to maintain our commitment to the 2014 Wales Defense Investment Pledge that we need to stay on a positive investment trajectory.

That we need to make sure that at the end of the day, NATO presents a credible deterrent and defense.  Do you want to add to that?

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL TWO:  No, not at all.

STAFF:  All right.  Want to come back into the room, Lara Seligman from Politico.

Q:  Hey, guys.  Thanks for doing this.  I wanted to ask you actually, just following up on the Russia question.  Can you talk about what you -- what will be on the table with regard to the SolarWind's attack and cyber attacks writ large?  Will there be a discussion of standards, for example?  When does a cyber attack constitute an act of war?

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL ONE:  Yes, thanks so much for that question.  The second session, I think, we'll talk about emerging and disruptive technology.  And so I would expect cyber issues to be addressed kind of in a more broad setting during that -- during that discussion.  You may want to add to that a bit. 

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL TWO:  Yes, I mean what I'll just say on that is there's a lot of very systemic problems that we're dealing with at the same time that Europe is dealing with. 

And so we're very pleased that we have the ability to meet not only with our NATO allies but we're also going to add the European Union and Sweden and Finland to one of the sessions, because it's a broader set of topics that we can take on with them; including you know, COVID, of course, response there. 

The disruptive technologies.  Like we were talking about cyber, A.I., that type of thing.  Also climate change, all of these types of things will be things that we can discuss both at NATO and in the E.U. and look at cooperating in the future, as far as the specifics that you relayed about the SolarWinds case, I think that there's probably still some good investigation going on there and -- and we'll be in touch with our allies about that in the future.

STAFF:  All right.  Kristina Wong from Breitbart.

Q:  Thank you so much for doing this.  You mentioned China at the top.  Can you talk about what role China will play in this defense ministerial compared to previous years, if there's -- how big that discussion may be and what may be on the table as far as discussions and cooperation.

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL ONE:  Yes, terrific. Thank you for that question. The alliance has done some really good work on China over the last two years, in particular that's worth nothing, and I would say we applaud the secretary general's increased focus on, what he calls, sort of a more global view for NATO.

I think that that just makes a lot of sense. It's part of the reason folks are enthusiastic about doing a new strategic concept because the last one was done about a decade ago when folks were looking at China in rather dramatically different ways.

So I think it is absolutely -- we absolutely expect China to be on the agenda. We would want to make sure that folks recognize both U.S. enthusiasm for the work that has been done -- done on China so far, and also to underscore that it's -- it's an opening act.

There's more to be done, and giving the geopolitical shifts, it's incumbent on NATO to ensure that China is on its priority list, given that ultimately it has a different -- Beijing has a different view of the global security environment then I think the one NATO has effectively promulgated for the last 72 years -- or propagated, excuse me. Do you want to add to that?

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL TWO:  Yes, just briefly and actually a very good reminder, China is another one of those systemic issues that we'll be dealing with, especially in the session with the E.U.. The E.U. labeled, as you might know, labeled China a systemic rival last year.

And so the work that we've been doing at NATO, the work that the E.U. has been doing, they are very complementary and -- and I believe that's where that will line up in the discussion with our allies and partners.

STAFF:  OK, Wafaa , yes.

Q:  Hi. So during the previous administration, there was like -- the administration wasn't satisfied at all about other NATO alliance commitment to defense spending. Should we expect a change maybe in the tone of the American -- new American administration to where this issue -- that issue will be on the table?

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL ONE:  Thank you so much for raising that. Look, we all share the responsibility to procure, prepare and provide ready forces and capabilities, right? And so we've all committed to the Wale's defense investment pledge, now seven years or so ago, that means that were supposed to all be on this trajectory to spend 2 percent of our GDP on defense, 20 percent on capabilities.

So I think what you're going to hear is that we expect all allies to live up to this commitment. It's a commitment we have all made. We're appreciative of those who have moved in this direction and we applaud that, but we also know that there's more work to be done and I think you're going to very much hear that, both applauding and underscoring that there's more work to be done.

At the end of the day, NATO's credibility comes down to its ability to provide deterrents and defense. And as you've probably heard the secretary general say, he's got these three C's he talks about, cash, contributions and capabilities. At the end of the day, cash is inextricably linked to those other two.

And if we don't invest enough cash today, if the allies don't invest enough cash today, we're just not going to be ready for tomorrow's challenges. So you will hear this -- the applause for those who have been making progress overall and also strong encouragement that -- that we keep on doing so. Did you want to add to that?

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL TWO:  That was perfect.

STAFF:  All right, so we've got time for one last question. I'm going to go to the phones. Luis Martinez from ABC.

Q:  Hey, Tom, thanks so much. Just following up on that question about the tone of the administration with regards to 2 percent GDP, is it safe to assume that the Trump administration followed, let's say, a stick approach that the Biden administration will follow a carrot approach when it comes to this, and do you still want to pursue that 2 percent GDP goal?

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL ONE:  Thanks so much for that question. You know, here's what I would say. I think the administration recognizes the unparalleled network of allies that NATO provides and recognizes it is incumbent on making sure this alliance is as strong and capable as possible.

And that -- that comes down to how we are all thinking about distributing the burden. And so I think you are going to hear enthusiasm from the secretary as he's consulting allies, enthusiasm for investment and he will underscore the need for those investments to continue.

We've got to commit to that, we've got to -- we've got to really -- really demonstrate that we're able to do it because at the end of the day, NATO has to remain strong militarily for its credibility.

So he will -- he will have those conversations as he is trying to revitalize the United States relationship with -- with the alliance.

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL TWO:  Yes, and just -- just on 2 percent. This wasn't something that the Trump administration came up with, right. It was something that was informal before and then in 2014, all of the NATO heads of states and governments agreed to commit to work towards 2 percent and 20 percent.

And so that is something that's been consistent over the -- with this administration, the last couple of administrations and we'll continue to working towards that with our allies.

STAFF:  OK, thank you very much for your time.

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL:  Thanks so much, ya'll.

Vaccination Site

 

Puerto Rico National Guard members administer COVID-19 vaccines to medical personnel at the Pedrín Zorrilla Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Jan. 29, 2021. The Puerto Rico National Guard took the lead in vaccination efforts by administering vaccines and delivering vaccine vials to medical centers and vaccination sites throughout Puerto Rico.

Officials Testify to Congress on Military Housing Privatization Progress

 Feb. 16, 2021 | BY David Vergun , DOD News

The goal of the Defense Department is to provide safe, quality housing for military members and their families, a DOD official told lawmakers today.

Paul Cramer, principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for sustainment (installations), spoke today at a House Appropriations subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies. The topic was the Military Housing Privatization Initiative. 

The military departments have increased their oversight of military housing by hiring more than 500 additional employees in the military housing offices, he said. These additional people are providing quality assurance, customer care services and advocacy for the residents. 

Group of people walk past base housing.

Since the March 3, 2020, MHPI hearing before this subcommittee, the department has made significant progress in implementing MHPI reforms set out in the fiscal year 2020 and 2021 National Defense Authorization Acts, Cramer noted. 

"We have worked to draw up department-wide privatization housing policies to reinforce and expand our programmatic oversight of MHPI housing projects," he said.

Among them are:

  • Senior leader engagement to collaborate internally and with MHPI companies on housing issues;
  • Taking necessary corrective actions to rebuild trust with military members and their families;
  • Accountability at all levels within the department by the MHPI companies;
  • Providing transparency and frequent communication with MHPI tenants; and
  • Ensuring the long term financial viability of MHPI projects and the program.

Elizabeth A. Field, director, defense capabilities and management, Government Accountability Office, also testified at today's hearing.

A group of Marines stands talking in front base housing.

Last year, GAO published a report in which it identified weaknesses in DOD management and oversight of MHPI. 

"We made 12 recommendations to address the problems we found. And I'm pleased to report that as of today, DOD has either fully or partially implemented all of our recommendations and expects to complete the remaining work needed to implement them this year," she said.

Some of the key actions that the department has taken include:

  • Instituting standardized quarterly reviews of the military department privatized housing portfolios, with a focus on quality and condition;
  • Developing a process for collecting and calculating resident satisfaction data to ensure that these data are more accurate and consistently used;
  • Establishing criteria for monitoring the financial viability of privatized housing projects and assessing risk;
  • Issuing a Tenant's Bill of Rights;
  • Developing a Common Lease Agreement; and
  • Piloting an effort to provide tenants with seven years of their unit's maintenance history.

"Given the significance of MHPI to the department's commitment to provide safe, adequate housing to service members and their families, sustained attention will be warranted for many years to come," she said.

Drive Thru Site

 

Air Force Airman 1st Class Victoria Moquin, a security forces officer assigned to the 157th Security Forces Squadron, New Hampshire Air National Guard, checks a patient in at a drive-thru vaccination site in Concord, N.H., Feb. 11, 2021. The site is located in the parking lot of a shopping mall; personnel stationed there administer hundreds of COVID-19 tests and vaccinations a day.

Vaccine Site

Air Force Capt. Alexa Hayes, assigned to the 157th Medical Group, 157th Air Refueling Wing, New Hampshire Air National Guard, administers the Moderna vaccine to a patient in Concord, N.H., Feb. 11, 2021. Guardsmen administer hundreds of tests and vaccinations each day at a former Sears Auto Center.

 

Working Together

 

Soldiers assigned to the 432nd Civil Affairs Battalion and their counterparts in the Slovak military give ozone generators to a school in Martin, Slovakia, Feb. 12, 2021. Two-hundred and forty-five generators that were supplied by a Slovak company were presented to Aurel Stodola Elementary School to be used in the classrooms. The donation is intended to increase the safety of children and young people in primary schools through effective and regular disinfection of school classrooms and common areas to combat the spread of COVID-19.

Preparing Shots

 

Navy Seaman Dillon Bothell, left, and Navy Seaman Devin Declercq prepare COVID-19 vaccination shots aboard amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans in Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 14, 2021. New Orleans, part of the American Expeditionary Strike Group, along with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, is operating in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Sports Heroes Who Served: President Ford Was a Football Star, WWII Veteran

 Feb. 16, 2021 | 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.

Gerald Ford, 38th president of the United States, World War II Navy veteran and collegiate football star, is also the president who, in 1975, signed Public Law 94-106 admitting women to the all-male military colleges — West Point, Annapolis and the Air Force Academy. 

In a posed picture, a football player prepares to hike a football.

Ford attended the University of Michigan, where he played center, linebacker and long snapper for the Wolverines football team. The Big 10 team had two undefeated seasons and won national titles in 1932 and 1933. 

However, even though the team won only one game In 1934,  Ford was considered the team's star player. 

He was a star player off the field, as well. That year, the Wolverines were scheduled to play Georgia Tech, which said it would not play Michigan if a Black player named Willis Ward took the field, and University officials kept Ward out of the game.

Ford was Ward's best friend on the team, and they roomed together during road trips. Ford threatened to quit the team in response to the university's decision. He eventually agreed to play against Georgia Tech, but it was only after Ward personally asked him to play.

Navy officers pose for a group photo.

On April 13, 1942, shortly after the start of World War II, Ford received a commission as an ensign in the Navy Reserve. He attended flight school in Annapolis, Maryland, and became an instructor at Navy Preflight School in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where he taught navigation skills, ordnance, gunnery, first aid and military drill. He also coached swimming, boxing and football. 

After Ford was promoted to lieutenant, in March 1943, he was assigned to the new aircraft carrier USS Monterey, at New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Camden, New Jersey. 

From the ship's commissioning on June 17, 1943, until the end of December 1944, Ford served as the assistant navigator, athletic officer and anti aircraft battery officer on the Monterey. 

In 1943, the Monterey saw combat action in the Pacific Theater, including at Makin Island in the Gilberts, and New Ireland. During the spring of 1944, the Monterey supported landings at Kwajalein and Eniwetok and participated in carrier strikes in the Marianas, Western Carolines, and northern New Guinea, as well as in the Battle of the Philippine Sea.

Men on a ship play a game of basketball.

In November and December 1944, the Monterey's aircraft launched strikes against Wake Island and the Ryukyu Islands of Japan, and supported the landings at Leyte and Mindoro in the Philippines.

The Monterey was one of several ships damaged by Typhoon Cobra that hit Navy Adm. William Halsey's Third Fleet on December 18-19, 1944. The Monterey was damaged by a fire, which was ignited by several of the ship's aircraft tearing loose from their cables and colliding on the hangar deck. 

As the general quarters officer of the deck, it was Ford's job to assess the damage and help contain the fire. The ship got underway again but was declared unfit for service due to the extensive damage that occurred. 

In 1945, Ford was stationed at the Navy Pre-Flight School at Saint Mary's College of California, where he was assigned to the athletic department until April 1945. From the end of April 1945 to January 1946, he was on the staff of the Naval Reserve Training Command, Naval Air Station, Glenview, Illinois, with a rank of lieutenant commander. He received an honorable discharge in February 1946.

Men sign a treaty.

Interesting Ford Facts

  • Ford once said that his experiences on the gridiron helped prepare him for the "rough-and-tumble world of politics."
  • In honor of his athletic accomplishments, the University of Michigan retired Ford's No. 48 jersey in 1994. With the permission of the Ford family, it was placed back into circulation in 2012.
  • When he became president, Ford often had the Navy band play the University of Michigan fight song, "The Victors," instead of "Hail to the Chief."
  • Ford graduated from Michigan in 1935 and received offers to play football with the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers of the National Football League. Instead, he took a job in September 1935 as the boxing coach and assistant varsity football coach at Yale University, where he also attended and graduated from law school.
  • Gerald Ford's name at birth, July 14, 1913, was Leslie Lynch King Jr. Ford's parents later divorced and on Dec. 3, 1935, Ford legally changed his name to Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr., in honor of his stepfather, who had that name except for the junior.

Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III’s Call with Iraqi Minister of Defense Jumaah Saadoon

 Feb. 16, 2021


Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke by phone today with Iraqi Minister of Defense Jumaah Saadoon. Secretary Austin condemned yesterday’s attack against U.S. and Coalition forces in Iraq, and expressed condolences to the Iraqi people. Secretary Austin and Minister Saadoon also both expressed condolences for the U.S. service member who was injured in the attack.

The Iraqi people deserve a secure and stable Iraq, and the United States remains committed to supporting our Iraqi partners in their efforts to defend Iraq’s sovereignty. Both leaders reaffirmed commitment to the strategic partnership between the United States and Iraq.

Patching Practice

 

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Ashley Bass practices patching a ruptured pipe during a general quarters drill aboard the USS Porter in the Mediterranean Sea, Feb. 13, 2021.

Canopy Concentration

 

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Teresita Joyce, Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathaniel Tucker and Petty Officer 3rd Class Jmilriyon Jacobs de-arm the canopy of an F/A-18E Super Hornet aircraft aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in the Atlantic Ocean, Feb. 8, 2021.

Aeromedical Effort

 

An Air Force nurse participates in a simulated mass casualty aeromedical evacuation during exercise Cope North at Northwest Field in Guam, Feb. 10, 2021. The annual exercise serves as a keystone event to enhance U.S. relations with regional allies and partners, promoting security and stability throughout the Indo-Pacific region.

Walker Wave

 

Air Force Capt. Gene Walker signals a C-130J Super Hercules as it approaches the landing zone during Cope North in Angaur, Palau, Feb. 11, 2021. The annual exercise enhances U.S. relations with regional allies and partners, and promotes security and stability throughout the Indo-Pacific region.