Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Caleb Rausch conducts carrier strike group integrated operations with the USS Ronald Reagan and the USS Shiloh from an MH-60S Seahawk over the Philippine Sea, June 10, 2021.
Tuesday, June 15, 2021
Sports Heroes Who Served: Baseball Legend Dusty Baker Served in the Marine Corps
June 15, 2021 | , DOD News
Sports Heroes Who Served is a series that highlights the accomplishments of athletes who served in the U.S. military.
Marine Corps veteran Johnnie B. "Dusty" Baker Jr. is a baseball legend.
Born in 1949 in Riverside, California, Baker was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 1967 and played for the team until 1975.
From 1976 to 1983, he played for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Then, in 1984, he was with the San Francisco Giants. From 1985 to 1986 he played for the Oakland Athletics.
After his playing career, he became coach of the San Francisco Giants from 1988 to 1992.
Later he was a manager of five teams: San Francisco Giants (1993-2002), Chicago Cubs (2003-2006), Cincinnati Reds (2008-2013), Washington Nationals (2016-2017), and the Houston Astros (2020 to present).
His career highlights include: two-time All-Star, 1981 and 1982; World Series champion, 1982; and National League Manager of the Year, 1993, 1997 and 2000.
While baseball fans recognize Dusty Baker's achievements, some people don't know he served in the Marine Corps Reserve as a mechanic in motor transport from 1968 to 1974.
"Vietnam was going on big time," Baker told Pentagram newspaper writer Jim Dresbach in a 2017 interview. "My friends were getting drafted. I was in school in junior college, and the Atlanta Braves asked me to go into the Marines. I wasn't crazy about the idea. It turned out to be one of the best things that ever happened in my life – joining the Marines.
"It helped me a lot," Baker said of his years as a Marine. "I came home more disciplined. Like I said, it might not be for everybody, but it definitely helped me at that point and stage of my life."
Baker's Marine life started at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in South Carolina and then Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
Asked how baseball and the military are similar, Baker noted that both have a change of command and an intense brotherly camaraderie.
"Out here on the baseball diamond, it's like teammates are your brothers," Baker said. "I learned more about teamwork in the Marines, more than anything else. If we get in a fight or whatever there is, you better not touch my teammate."
Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin's Meeting With France
June 15, 2021
Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby provided the following readout:
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met today with French Minister of the Armed Forces Florence Parly to reaffirm the strength and importance of the bilateral relationship between the United States and France.
The leaders discussed a number of issues including the NATO Summit, security and stability in Africa, and the situation in Lebanon.
They affirmed the importance of coordinating efforts to assist our mutual partner, the Lebanese Armed Forces.
On Africa, the leaders expressed concern over instability in the Sahel and reaffirmed U.S. and French commitment to counterterrorism efforts in the region.
Food Bank Delivery
Arizona National Guard service members prepare and deliver boxes of groceries for residents at a food bank in Casa Grande, Ariz., May 25, 2021. More than 850 Arizona citizen soldiers and airmen continue to support community needs during this state of emergency.
In the Right Direction
Task Force Viking medics administer COVID-19 vaccines to personnel stationed at al-Asad Air Base, Iraq, June 2, 2021. With the help of Norwegian army medics, about 750 vaccines were administered to U.S. service members, coalition forces and civilian contractors in one week.
Collection Process
Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Alexis Delapaz, a medical laboratory technician, was named Sailor of the Quarter in recognition of her work with the Navy Medicine Readiness Training Command Bremerton Laboratory as sailors continue efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19, Bremerton, Wash., June 11, 2021.
Rocket Fire
National Guardsmen conduct a live-fire exercise with a high mobility artillery rocket system at Camp Guernsey Joint Training Center, Wyo., June 14, 2021.
Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Phone Call With Israeli Minister of Defense Benjamin "Benny" Gantz
June 15, 2021
Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby provided the following readout:
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke today with Israeli Minister of Defense Benjamin “Benny” Gantz. The two leaders discussed the importance of close coordination on Iran and other regional security challenges. The Secretary affirmed the Administration’s support for ongoing normalization efforts and commitment to work with Israel to ensure its defense and security.
Soaring Eagles
F-15E Strike Eagles perform a flyover during the Flags for Heroes event to honor veterans, first responders and health care workers in Clayton, N.C., June 14, 2021.
Sailor’s Saw
Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Jesse Brown uses a saw to cut an arresting cable socket aboard the USS Harry S. Truman in the Atlantic Ocean, June 12, 2021.
Dusty Descent
U.S. and Moroccan troops fast-rope out of a CH-47 Chinook in Tifnit, Morocco, June 14, 2021, during African Lion, U.S. Africa Command's largest joint, annual exercise.
Safer Sidewalk
Airmen complete a sidewalk reconstruction project at Osan Air Base, South Korea, June 10, 2021.
African Lion Artillery
Soldiers observe fired artillery rounds in an M109A6 Paladin howitzer at the Tan Tan Training Area, Morocco, June 13, 2021, during African Lion, U.S. Africa Command's largest joint, annual exercise.
Equipment Cleanup
A member of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard removes hardened debris from a piece of heavy equipment being used to restructure the tactical airstrip at Camp Guernsey, Wyo., June 9, 2021.
Supply Transfer
Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan receive supplies from the dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Amelia Earhart during a replenishment in the Philippine Sea, June 13, 2021.
Aircraft Arrival
Members of the Colorado Air National Guard unpack their aircraft after arriving at Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, for Exercise Amalgam Dart, June 12, 2021.
Sailor Survey
A sailor surveys Ukibaru Island during Exercise Poseidon’s Watchtower in Okinawa, Japan, June 9, 2021. Marines and sailors conducted a reconnaissance of the island to hone their skills in assessing terrain for the suitability of supporting maritime operations.
Moulage Makers
An Air Force moulage team creates realistic wounds and injuries on the heads of airmen prior to a medical readiness exercise at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., June 11, 2021. The team creates the mock injuries to add a level of realism to the simulated victims of Eglin’s major exercises.
Leading practices from Los Angeles County: Innovative strategies for Veteran crisis intervention & suicide prevention
This webinar will provide an overview of the comprehensive and collaborative prevention, intervention and postvention efforts occurring in Los Angeles County to prevent Veteran suicide and to help Veterans thrive in the community.
By attending this webinar, the audience will take away an understanding of how Los Angeles County is working to better the lives of Veterans in the community.
All attendees will learn about different prevention programs, newly developed crisis intervention/de-escalation processes, postvention supportive programs and available culture training for first responders.
Attendees will better understand the scope of the problem within the Veteran community and leave the session with ideas, resources and points of contact for further questions.
Instructors
Captain John Gannon – Mental Evaluation Team/Co-Response Program Commander
Sgt Rich “Bojo” Bojorquez – Mental Evaluation Team – Veteran Liaison Supervisor
Dr Piero D’Ingillo – LASD Psychological Services Bureau – CIT Instructor
Dave Weiner – CEO, Secure Measures, LLC, Retired Chief of Police
Certificates of Attendance
All attendees will receive a Certificate of Attendance.
Webinar Recording
All Associate and Active Level IPSA members will have access to the webinar recording. If you're not a member, we'd like to invite you to join today.
NATO Stands Together as Biden Reaffirms U.S. Commitment to Alliance
June 15, 2021 | , DOD News
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the NATO-Russia relationship, "is at its lowest point since the Cold War, and Moscow’s aggressive actions are a threat to our security."
The alliance leader said this at the end of the NATO Summit in Brussels, where leaders charted the course of the most successful defensive pact in history for the years ahead.
President Joe Biden attended the summit and said America's commitment to the trans-Atlantic alliance is unshakeable. He said the U.S. regards Article 5 of the NATO treaty — which states an attack on one country is an attack on all — as "a sacred commitment."
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III accompanied the president to the summit.
Biden spoke to the press after the first day's meeting at NATO headquarters. He noted that in addition to facing the worldwide pandemic, "the democratic values that undergird our alliance are under increasing pressure both internally and externally.
Russia and China are both seeking to drive a wedge in our trans-Atlantic solidarity, and we’re seeing an increase in malicious cyber activity."
The president emphasized what the treaty alliance brings to the world — solidarity in the face of challenges. He also noted that while the United States had stepped back from its leadership in world affairs, "everyone in that room today understood the shared appreciation … that America is back," he said.
During a news conference at headquarters, Stoltenberg said alliance leaders reconfirmed the dual-track approach of defense and dialogue with Russia and China. "We will keep our defenses strong, while remaining ready to talk to make our positions clear, avoid misunderstanding and prevent escalation," he said during a rare in-person press conference.
The allied leaders fully support the decision to extend the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty and welcome news arms control talks. "We stand in solidarity with our valued partners Ukraine and Georgia, and we will continue to support their reforms, bringing them closer to NATO," he said.
China is on the other side of the world from the North Atlantic, but NATO leaders had to address the Pacific nation. "There is a strong convergence of views among allies, based on our interests, we see opportunities to engage on issues such as arms control and climate change," the secretary general said. "But China's growing influence and international policies present challenges to alliance security. Leaders agreed that we need to address such challenges together as an alliance, and that we need to engage with China to defend our security interests."
NATO leaders are concerned by China's coercive policies which stand in contrast to the fundamental values enshrined in the Washington Treaty that established the alliance in 1949, Stoltenberg said. "China is rapidly expanding its nuclear arsenal with more warheads and a larger number of sophisticated delivery systems," he said. "It is opaque in implementing its military modernization. It is cooperating militarily with Russia, including through exercises in the Euro-Atlantic area."
NATO leaders called on China to uphold its international commitments and to act responsibly in the international system, including in space, cyber and maritime domains, in keeping with its role as a major power.
President Biden left Brussels on Tuesday and travelled to Geneva where he will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Long Jumper
Air Force Airman 1st Class McLee Emile participates in a long jump event during the 81st Training Group Olympics at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., June 11, 2021. The event also included competitions in weightlifting, track, shot put and discus.
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