Fitness Test

 

Army Spc. Kiana Malbas participates in an Army Combat Fitness Test at the University of California, Los Angeles, July 17, 2021.

Puppy Love

 

Loved ones welcome an airman returning to McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., after a deployment in Saudi Arabia, July 18, 2021.

Talisman Saber

 

Marines participate in Talisman Saber at Shoalwater Bay Training Area in Queensland, Australia, July 18, 2021. The exercise is designed to strengthen capabilities to respond to security concerns in the Indo-Pacific region.

Camouflage Crew

 

Marines apply camouflage face paint before participating in the small unit leadership evaluation at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., July 21, 2021.

Graduation Ceremony

 

Navy ROTC midshipmen raise their right hands during a graduation ceremony at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Ill., July 22, 2021.

Silhouette Inspection

 

Air Force Airman 1st Class Dylan Guidry preforms preflight inspections on an HH-60G Pave Hawk during Red Flag 21-3 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., July 23, 2021.

Readout of Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Dr. Colin Kahl's Meeting With Croatian Minister of Defence Mario Banožić

 July 23, 2021

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Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Jamal Brown provided the following readout: 

Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Dr. Colin Kahl met with Croatian Minister of Defence Mario Banožić at the Pentagon today to reaffirm the importance of the U.S.-Croatia bilateral defense relationship and further strengthen our strategic Alliance. Dr. Kahl emphasized the U.S. commitment to collaborating within NATO and helping Croatia meet its NATO capability targets.

The two leaders discussed regional security, Euro-Atlantic integration, COVID-19 and mutual concerns over malign influence in the region. Dr. Kahl thanked Minister Banožić for Croatia’s impressive history of contributions to coalition operations, including Kosovo Force and NATO Mission Iraq.

Austin Begins Indo-Pacific Visit in Alaska

 July 24, 2021 | BY Jim Garamone , DOD News

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III landed in Fairbanks, Alaska, yesterday beginning a weeklong trip to the Indo-Pacific.

It's the secretary's second trip to what he has called the Defense Department's "priority region" since taking office in January.

"I think it'll be a really good visit: you'll hear me talk a lot about partnerships and the value of partnerships," Austin told reporters traveling with him. "We believe that we're a stabilizing force; no matter where we are, what part of the world, we add value to the stability of the region. So, my goal is to strengthen relationships."

Alaska is a cornerstone of America's defense in the Indo-Pacific. The state is home to some of DOD's most modern systems, including F-22 Raptors and F-35 Lightning IIs — fifth generation aircraft that can dominate any battlespace. Alaska is also home to ground-based missile defense sites. These systems — manned by members of the Alaska National Guard — are key to America's defense from rogue states.

Soldiers based in Alaska are key to America's Arctic strategy and are integral forces for the Indo-Pacific. Army personnel have deployed to work with allies throughout the region and have conducted exercises and operations with many allies and partners.

Austin will travel on to Singapore, Vietnam and the Philippines before returning to Washington.