General Officer Announcements

 March 4, 2021

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Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III announced today that the president has made the following nominations:

Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Jay M. Bargeron has been nominated for appointment to the rank of major general.  Bargeron is currently serving as president, Marine Corps University, Training and Education Command, Quantico, Virginia.

Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Brian W. Cavanaugh has been nominated for appointment to the rank of major general.  Cavanaugh is currently serving as assistant deputy commandant, programs and resources, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, D.C.

Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Dimitri Henry has been nominated for appointment to the rank of major general.  Henry is currently serving as director, J-2, U.S. Central Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.

Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Ryan P. Heritage has been nominated for appointment to the rank of major general.  Heritage is currently serving as commanding general, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego; and commanding general, Western Recruiting Region, San Diego, California.

Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Christopher A. McPhillips has been nominated for appointment to the rank of major general.  McPhillips is currently serving as commanding general, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Okinawa, Japan.

Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Robert B. Sofge Jr. has been nominated for appointment to the rank of major general.  Sofge is currently serving as deputy commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific, Camp Smith, Hawaii.

Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Matthew G. Trollinger has been nominated for appointment to the rank of major general.  Trollinger is currently serving as deputy director, Politico-Military Affairs (Middle East), J-5, Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.

Marine Corps Col. Joseph R. Clearfield has been nominated for appointment to the rank of brigadier general.  Clearfield is currently serving as assistant chief of staff, G-3, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland.

Marine Corps Col. Mark H. Clingan has been nominated for appointment to the rank of brigadier general.  Clingan is currently serving as chief of staff, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan.

Marine Corps Col. Simon M. Doran has been nominated for appointment to the rank of brigadier general.  Doran is currently serving as special assignment officer, Royal Air Force, British Armed Forces, London, United Kingdom.

Marine Corps Col. Walker M. Field has been nominated for appointment to the rank of brigadier general.  Field is currently serving as military fellow, Council on Foreign Relations, New York, New York.

Marine Corps Col. Anthony M. Henderson has been nominated for appointment to the rank of brigadier general.  Henderson is currently serving as director, concepts and plans, Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia.

Marine Corps Col. Michael E. McWilliams has been nominated for appointment to the rank of brigadier general.  McWilliams is currently serving as executive assistant for deputy commandant, installations and logistics, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, D.C.

Marine Corps Col. Matthew T. Mowery has been nominated for appointment to the rank of brigadier general.  Mowery is currently serving as operations and readiness branch head, Aviation Plans, Programs, Joint/Congressional Matters, Doctrine and Budget Branch, Aviation Branch, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, D.C. 
 
Marine Corps Col. Andrew M. Niebel has been nominated for appointment to the rank of brigadier general.  Niebel is currently serving as chief of staff, Marine Corps Installations Command, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, D.C.

Marine Corps Col. Ahmed T. Williamson has been nominated for appointment to the rank of brigadier general.  Williamson is currently serving as military assistant, Office of the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, D.C.

MARINE CORPS RESERVE

Marine Corps Reserve Brig. Gen. Mark A. Hashimoto has been nominated for appointment to the rank of major general.  Hashimoto is currently serving as commanding general, Force Headquarters Group, U.S. Marine Forces Reserve, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Marine Corps Reserve Col. Sean N. Day has been nominated for appointment to the rank of brigadier general.  Day is currently serving as deputy commander, Force Headquarters Group, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III Message to the Force

 March 4, 2021

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Today, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, published his Message to the Force, which committed to ensuring that the Department develops the right people, priorities, and purpose of mission to continue to defend the Nation from enemies foreign and domestic.

Secretary Austin provided his top three priorities and specific areas of focus:

1. Defend the Nation

• Defeat COVID-19
• Prioritize China as the Pacing Challenge
• Address Advanced and Persistent Threats
• Innovate and Modernize the DoD
• Tackle the Climate Crisis

2. Take care of our people

• Grow our Talent
• Build Resilience and Readiness
• Ensure Accountable Leadership

3. Succeed through teamwork

• Join Forces with our Allies and Partners
• Work in Partnership with Our Nation
• Build Unity Within the DoD

Secretary Austin reiterated the need for resources matched to strategy, strategy matched to policy, and policy matched to the will of the American people.

The Secretary closed the message by thanking the women and men of the Department of Defense for their service to the country and commitment to the security of the Nation.

Secretary Austin’s full message can be found here.

Airborne Ops

 

Soldiers conduct airborne operations over Malemute drop zone at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, March 2, 2021.

View From Above

 

U.S. and Moroccan aircraft fly in formation over the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in the Atlantic Ocean, March 3, 2021, during Lightning Handshake, a bilateral exercise between U.S. and Moroccan troops.

Leap of Faith

 

Army Sgt. Ethan White leaps during the Pennsylvania National Guard Best Warrior Competition at Indiantown, Pa., March 3, 2021.

Lightning Handshake

 

The USS Mitscher and the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower sail in the Atlantic Ocean, March 3, 2021, during Lightning Handshake, a bilateral maritime exercise between U.S. and Moroccan troops.

Seahawk Signal

 

Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Benjamin Kaufman directs an MH-60S Seahawk during flight operations aboard the USS Freedom in the Pacific Ocean, Mar. 1, 2021.

Paint Job

 

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jessa-Mae Montgomery paints a door aboard the USS Makin Island in the Persian Gulf, Feb. 26, 2021.

COVID Vaccination

 

Army Sgt. Kendra Hallett receives the COVID-19 vaccine from Air Force Tech. Sgt. Deborah Macalalad at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., Feb. 21, 2021.

Vaccination Preparation

 

Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Felicia White gets her arm disinfected before receiving her second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa, Japan, March 2, 2021.

High Jumper

 

Air Force's Kendra Middleton competes in the high jump during the Air Force Invitational at the Cadet Field House in Colorado Springs, Colo., Jan. 23, 2021.

Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Phone Call With Georgian Minister of Defense Juansher Burchuladze

 March 4, 2021

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Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke by phone today with the Georgian Minister of Defense Juansher Burchuladze to reaffirm U.S. support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, as well DoD’s commitment to helping Georgia develop its defense capabilities in the face of Russian aggression and malign influence. 

Both leaders noted the strength and enduring nature of the U.S.-Georgia strategic partnership, which is based on shared interests and values.  Secretary Austin thanked Minister Burchuladze for Georgia’s contribution to the Resolute Support Mission and for the sacrifices made by Georgian troops in Afghanistan.  

Minister Burchuladze expressed appreciation for U.S. support for Georgia’s military modernization and reform efforts and highlighted the threat Russia poses to Georgia’s security.  

Both leaders agreed that the close bilateral security cooperation between the U.S. and Georgia must be sustained, with future cooperation building upon the gains achieved in recent years. 

Winter Walk

 

Paratroopers walk to the assembly area during an airborne operation at Malemute drop zone, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, March 2, 2021.

Night Lights

 

An Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker during a mission over Southwest Asia, Feb. 20, 2021.

Super Secure

 

Air Force Senior Airman Milton Delcid secures an R-11 fuels truck to a C-130J Super Hercules during the Catalina Weapons Mixer exercise at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., Feb. 18, 2021. The weeklong exercise demonstrated the effectiveness of tactics, techniques and procedures focused on mobility and combat integration.