Sailors combat a simulated weapons fire during training in Newport, R.I., Aug. 18, 2021.
Friday, August 20, 2021
Combat Raider
A Colorado Air National Guardsman waves from an F-16 Fighting Falcon during exercise Combat Raider, July 22, 2021. The exercise tests cohesion and coordination between multiple aircraft flying within a large simulated combat area to complete a simulated wartime scenario.
Simulated Ship
U.S. Naval Academy midshipmen navigate a simulated littoral combat ship during training at Naval Base San Diego, Aug. 2, 2021.
Medical Assistance
Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael Diglio discusses the medical situation of critical patients with emergency personnel in Haiti, Aug. 18 2021, while supporting response efforts following a 7.2 magnitude earthquake.
Flight Check
An airman assigned to the Thunderbirds, the Air Force's flight demonstration team, prepares for takeoff in Portland, Ore., July 31, 2021.
Vaccine Prep
Army Spc. Rachel Broussard prepares COVID-19 vaccines at Fort Carson, Colo., Aug. 3, 2021.
Vaccine Drive
Army Spc. Kirkland Schramm administers the COVID-19 vaccine to a civilian contractor at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Aug. 17, 2021. Medics held a vaccine drive for personnel that were not yet fully vaccinated.
Sky High
An F-35A Lightning II and two F-16 Fighting Falcons fly above the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, July 28, 2021. The F-35As participated in air refueling with an Alaska Air National Guard Stratotanker.
Cushioned Craft
Globemaster Boarding
Evacuees prepare to board a C-17 Globemaster III at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Afghanistan, Aug. 18, 2021. U.S. troops are assisting the Department of State with an orderly drawdown of designated personnel in Afghanistan.
Dixie Firefight
A crew from the California National Guard fights the Dixie Fire in northern California, Aug. 16, 2021.
Navy to Christen Amphibious Transport Dock Ship Fort Lauderdale
Aug. 20, 2021
The Navy will christen its newest amphibious transport dock, the future USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28), during a 10 a.m. CDT ceremony Saturday, Aug. 21, at the Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) Ingalls Division shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi.
The mayor of Fort Lauderdale, the Honorable Dean Trantalis, will deliver the ceremony’s principal address. Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Ship Programs Ms. Bilyana Anderson and Vice Adm. William Galinis, commander, Naval Sea Systems Command, will also provide remarks. In a time-honored Navy tradition, the ship’s sponsor, Ms. Meredith Berger, will christen the ship by breaking a bottle of sparkling wine across the bow.
“Tomorrow we christen the future USS Fort Lauderdale, recognizing a city with a proud naval history,” said Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable Carlos Del Toro. “This momentous occasion brings us one step closer to ‘manning the rails’ with the men and women who will carry on the naval tradition of defending our nation and working towards a more peaceful world.”
USS Fort Lauderdale is the first ship to be named for the city of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The future Fort Lauderdale is the 12th San Antonio-class ship. The ships are designed to support embarking, transporting and bringing ashore elements of 650 Marines by landing craft or air cushion vehicles. The ship’s capabilities are further enhanced by a flight deck and hangar, which can operate CH 46 Sea Knight helicopters and the Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft (MV-22). San Antonio-class ships can support a variety of amphibious assault, special operations or expeditionary warfare missions, operating independently or as part of Amphibious Readiness Groups (ARGs), Expeditionary Strike Groups, or joint task forces.
Media may direct queries to the Navy Office of Information at 703-697-5342. For additional information about this class of ship, please visit the Navy Fact File at https://www.navy.mil/Resources/Fact-Files/Display-FactFiles/Article/2222713/amphibious-transport-dock-lpd/.
Haiti Deployment
Marines board a Navy landing craft in Morehead City, N.C., as they deploy in support of Joint Task Force-Haiti, a humanitarian assistance disaster relief mission following Haiti’s devastating earthquake, Aug. 18, 2021.
U.S., Qatari Defense Leaders Discuss Afghanistan, Other Issues at Pentagon Meeting
Aug. 19, 2021 | , DOD News
U.S. and Qatari defense leaders discussed events in Afghanistan as
well as a wide range of issues in the Middle East during Pentagon
meetings today.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III hosted Dr. Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah, Qatar's deputy prime minister and minister of state for defense affairs. The two men spoke as efforts to evacuate Americans and Afghans who worked with coalition forces from Kabul continued.
"It's a busy day and our focus continues to be on the situation in Kabul," Austin said. "That will be a key part of our discussions and your visit comes at a good time."
Qatar has long supported U.S. efforts in Afghanistan and hosted the talks between the Taliban and U.S. in their capital city of Doha. "I want to personally thank you for your government's long-standing support for the U.S mission in Afghanistan — including your ongoing support for the safety of American citizens and personnel as we're pushing hard to get people out of the country," Austin said.
Qatar and the United States are close allies. "Our relationship is built on long-standing support and friendship," the secretary said. "When the United States needs support, Qatar always answers. In particular I want to pass on the department's deep gratitude to you and his highness the Emir for hosting and protecting U.S. forces in Qatar."
Qatar is also working to address key regional challenges. Qatar has pledged in-kind assistance to Lebanese armed forces and donated $100 million to Yemen via the World Food Program. The government has also supported humanitarian efforts in Gaza. "We welcome Qatari leadership in all these issues, and we look forward to continuing our work together including increasing the interoperability between our two militaries," Austin said.
The Qatari minister will visit St. Louis for the unveiling of Qatar's F-15QA — an advanced F-15 Eagle built to Qatari specifications. Austin said the purchase of these aircraft will strengthen the already close relationship between the two nations' militaries.
"Qatar has been a long-time trusted ally to the United States," Dr. Al Attiyah told Austin. "Our strategic partnership is crucial to maintaining peace and unity in the Middle East."
Well Deck Ops
Sailors throw lines to a landing craft unit during well deck operations aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington in the Atlantic Ocean, Aug. 17, 2021. The Arlington is deployed to U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet to support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts in Haiti.
Survival Swim
Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Aaron Walker completes an endurance swim during a water survival-advanced course at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Aug. 10, 2021.
Security Watch
Soldiers assigned to the 10th Mountain Division stand security at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug.15, 2021. Soldiers and Marines are supporting the orderly drawdown of designated personnel in Afghanistan.
Guam Garden
Sailors assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS America get to work at the Island Girl Power community garden in Dededo, Guam, Aug. 10, 2021. Service members assisted with gardening and rehabilitation projects at the non-profit organization, which provides prevention and enrichment programs to young girls and teens.
Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin's Meeting with Qatar Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs, His Excellency Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al-Attiyah
Aug. 19, 2021
Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby provided the following readout:
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met today with Qatar Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs, His Excellency Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al-Attiyah.
The two leaders affirmed the strength of the U.S.-Qatar strategic partnership. They discussed shared interests regarding regional security and, in particular, Qatar’s critical support to evolving operations in Afghanistan.
Secretary Austin thanked Qatar for its long-standing hospitality in hosting U.S. forces and offered deep gratitude to Minister Al-Attiyah for Qatar’s help in facilitating the transit of U.S. citizens and Embassy Kabul personnel out of Afghanistan through Qatar.
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