Soldiers and Marines scan for hidden objects during training at Camp Fuji, Japan, June 15, 2021.
Tuesday, June 22, 2021
Survival Swim
Marine Corps Cpl. Ashley Welte conducts training during the water survival advanced course at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa, Japan, June 17, 2021.
In Formation
Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt aircraft fly in formation after conducting an air combat exercise during Red Flag-Alaska over Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, June 18, 2021. The exercise serves as a platform for international engagement and integrating allies.
Pacific Transit
The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson conducts routine operations during a transit of the Pacific Ocean. June 13, 2021.
Martial Marines
Two Marines participate in the final event of a martial arts instructor course at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., June 11, 2021.
Milley Meets Israeli Counterpart at Pentagon
June 22, 2021
|
, DOD News
Army Gen. Mark A. Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,
met with his Israeli counterpart, Lt. Gen. Aviv Kohavi, at the Pentagon
to discuss the state of the relationship between the U.S. and Israel
and to also discuss Middle Eastern issues.
This is the first time Kohavi met Milley in person, although the two men have spoken often since the Israeli general took office in January 2019.
The COVID-19 pandemic prevented an earlier in-person meeting. Kohavi was due to visit the Pentagon in April, but tensions over rocket attacks into Israel launched by Gaza-based Hamas precluded the visit.
The two chiefs of defense will also discuss the regional situation and other items of mutual concern.
After his meetings in Washington, Kohavi will visit other U.S. installations before returning to Israel.
The United States has a strong relationship with Israel. Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz visited Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III earlier this month and Austin made Israel one of the first nations he visited upon becoming the defense secretary.
Gym Sanitizer
Air Force Airman Luke Winston sanitizes gym equipment at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, June 14, 2021. Winston wipes down every piece of gym equipment to help mitigate the risk of COVID-19 and other bacteria.
Stocking Up
Army Spc. Oscar Castillo, with the Arizona Army National Guard, loads food and groceries into a local resident’s car at a mobile food pantry in Somerton, Ariz., June 17, 2021. More than 800 of Arizona’s guardsmen continue to serve communities throughout the state during this emergency response.
Relief Supplies
Airmen with the 60th Aerial Port Squadron prepare to load a shipment of pallets containing COVID-19 mitigation supplies onto an aircraft at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., June 17, 2021. The pallets were part of a shipment of 175,990 pounds of supplies destined for Nepal and Pakistan.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Statement on the Conclusion of Independent Review Commission
June 22, 2021
Yesterday, I received the final recommendations and complete report of the Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment.
I want to thank Lynn Rosenthal for her exceptional leadership of this commission, as well as the talented experts who worked so diligently to support her. The work they produced was informed not only by their own significant experience, but by that of so many members of our military, including sexual assault survivors.
The result is a comprehensive assessment across four lines of effort -- accountability, prevention, climate and culture, and victim care and support -- that recommends creative and evidence-based options. It provides us real opportunities to finally end the scourge of sexual assault and sexual harassment in the military.
In coming days, I will present to President Biden my specific recommendations about the commission’s findings, but I know enough at this point to state the following:
First, we will work with Congress to amend the Uniform Code of Military Justice, removing the prosecution of sexual assaults and related crimes from the military chain of command.
The IRC recommended the inclusion of other special victims’ crimes inside this independent prosecution system, to include domestic violence. I support this as well, given the strong correlation between these sorts of crimes and the prevalence of sexual assault.
Second, solving this problem requires not just greater accountability, which we need, but also changes to our approach on prevention, command climate, and victim services. I am reviewing the full scope of the commission’s recommendations in these areas, but generally they appear strong and well-grounded. I have directed my staff to do a detailed assessment and implementation plan for my review and approval.
Third, the Department will need new resources and authorities necessary to implement the IRC’s recommendations. Those we believe we can implement under existing authorities will be given priority. We will need to work closely with Congress to secure additional authorities and relief where needed. We will most assuredly require additional resources, both in personnel and in funding. But it may take us some time to determine how much and where they are most wisely applied.
Finally, as in all other things, these changes demand leadership. I appreciate the support that the Department’s civilian and military leaders have provided to the commission, and the thoughtfulness with which they have advised me as we develop effective ways to implement the changes we need to eliminate sexual assault and sexual harassment from our ranks.
As I made clear on my first full day in office, this is a leadership issue. And we will lead. Our people depend upon it. They deserve nothing less.
Fuel Analysis
Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Edgar Canales references index tables to check fuel purification values in a fuel analysis lab during training aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman underway in the Atlantic Ocean, June 14, 2021.
Target Check
Army Sgt. Sofia Guerrero checks her target on an M-4 carbine zero range during the Regional Health Command-Pacific Best Leader competition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., June 16, 2021.
Sports Heroes Who Served: Famous Baseball Pitcher Served With the Army in France During World War I
June 22, 2021 | , DOD News
Sports Heroes Who Served is a series that highlights the accomplishments of athletes who served in the U.S. military.
Grover Cleveland Alexander was born Feb. 26, 1887, in Elba, Nebraska during the first term of President Grover Cleveland. His family must have been a fan of the president, who was later elected for a second nonconsecutive term, because that's how Alexander acquired his first and middle name.
Although Alexander isn't exactly a household name in the world of major league baseball today, he was very well known and one of the most accomplished players from 1911 to 1930.
From 1911 to 1917, he played for the Philadelphia Phillies, where he made a name for himself as a Triple Crown winner in 1915 and 1916, a National League wins leader in 1911 and 1914-1917, a NL earned runs average leader in 1915 and 1916, and a NL strikeout leader in 1912 and 1914-1917.
His baseball career was cut short by America's entry into World War I in 1917, when Alexander enlisted in the Army and was assigned to the 342nd Field Artillery, which was part of the 89th Division. He saw combat duty in France with that unit beginning in July 1918.
While fighting in France, he was exposed to German mustard gas and also developed what was once called shell shock, but today it's known as post-traumatic stress disorder. In the latter part of 1918 he was honorably discharged, having attained the rank of sergeant.
Alexander returned to baseball, this time with the Chicago Cubs, where he again saw success from 1918 to 1926. Highlights there include: the Triple Crown in 1920, NL wins leader in 1920, NL ERA leader in 1919 and 1920 and NL strikeout leader in 1920.
From 1926 to 1929, Alexander played for the St. Louis Cardinals, which won the World Series the year he joined. Alexander's pitching prowess was largely responsible for that achievement.
Finally, in 1930, Alexander returned to Philadelphia to play for just one season.
Alexander's 90 shutouts are a National League record and his 373 wins are tied with Christy Mathewson for first in the National League record book. He is also tied for third all time in wins, tenth in innings pitched (5,190), second in shutouts, and eighth in hits allowed (4,868). He also has the most career wins of any pitcher who never threw a no-hitter.
In 1938, Alexander was the only baseball player elected to Baseball's Hall of Fame.
Alexander attended game three of the 1950 World Series at Yankee Stadium, where he saw the Phillies lose to the Yankees. He died less than a month later, on Nov. 4 in St. Paul, Nebraska, at the age of 63.
Alexander has another connection with a president. He was the subject of the 1952 biographical film "The Winning Team," portrayed by actor and future president, Ronald Reagan.
In 1999, Alexander was ranked number 12 on "The Sporting News" list of the 100 greatest baseball players.
Marine View
Marines look at the view from a military aircraft during a low terrain flight near Fallon, Nev., June 16, 2021.
Stone's Throw
A soldier throws a stone during a German sports badge event at Panzer Kaserne, Germany, June 19, 2021.
Loadmaster Training
Air Force Airman 1st Class Rebecca Reimer, center, and Staff Sgt. John Dittess, right, attach a winch to aircraft ground equipment during training at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., June 8, 2021.
Deep Dive
Marines participate in dive training alongside Jordanian troops in Aqaba, Jordan, June 10, 2021.
Dusty Gun
A Marine fires an M777A2 howitzer during training at Tabuk Training Center, Saudi Arabia, June 14, 2021.
Official Details DOD Efforts to Improve Housing, Climate Resilience, Energy Efficiency
June 22, 2021 | , DOD News
Military installations are a vital aspect of readiness. They afford the Defense Department important power projection capabilities, especially in today's world where the U.S. is no longer a sanctuary, the official performing the duties of the assistant secretary of defense for sustainment said.
"Therefore, we must ensure that our installations are not only postured to support the joint force, but they are resilient against the full range of manmade and natural threats," Paul D. Cramer said, testifying today at a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on the fiscal year 2022 military construction/family housing budget request.
"The budget request supports efforts to address mission requirements, ensure service members and their families have a safe and resilient place to live and work and also begins to address resiliency challenges," he added.
The department is requesting $26.1 billion in funding for military construction, sustainment, restoration and modernization to address critical mission requirements and life, health and safety concerns, Cramer said.
Cramer explained that this "funding will be used to replace, repair and modernize facilities to enhance their resilience to climate events and promote elimination of excess or obsolete facilities," he said.
"Extreme weather events are already costing billions of dollars, and those costs are likely to increase," Cramer said.
In response to Executive Order 14008 of Jan. 2, which places the climate crisis at the forefront of foreign policy and national security planning, the department has been developing the DOD Climate Adaptation Plan, which will be finalized later this month, he said.
The plan identifies five key lines of effort, he said.
1
Develop a climate-informed decision making process.
2
Train, test and equip a climate ready force.
3
Build a natural infrastructure.
4
Promote supply chain resilience and innovation.
5
Enhance adaptation and resilience through collaboration.
As such, the budget includes $1.4 billion to fund construction, operation, and maintenance of the DOD's worldwide non-privatized family housing inventory, which includes more than 34,000 government owned and 5,800 leased units, he said.
This request also includes $477 million for eight unaccompanied housing construction projects, Cramer added.
Cramer stated that, "The department continues to prioritize Military Housing Privatization Initiative reform actions that will improve the tenant experience and rebuild tenant trust," to include full implementation of the Tenant Bill of Rights at all privatized housing projects.
Cramer also stated that the department is moving forward on implementing energy resilience and efficiency efforts. The budget contains $4.4 billion in energy investments. That includes approximately $287 million for the Energy Resilience and Conservation Investment Program.
The ERCIP is a subset of the defense-wide military construction program that funds projects to increase resilience, save energy or water, produce energy or reduce the cost of energy. It also supports construction of new, high-efficiency energy systems and modernization of existing ones.
Force Fighting
Air Force Col. Heather Blackwell participates in training using oleoresin capsicum with Staff Sgt. Q'Taurious Miller at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., May 18, 2021.
System Setup
Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Malik Mercer, left, and Lance Cpl. Jacob Martinez set up a lightweight water purification system at Mount Bundey Training Area, Australia, June 8, 2021.
Community Concert
Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Kenny Ray Horton performs with the U.S. Navy Band at a concert in Washington, D.C., June 15, 2021.
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