Air Force Maj. Rolando De Luna examines a patient in Tafraoute, Morocco, June 14, 2021, during African Lion, U.S. Africa Command's largest joint, annual exercise.
Wednesday, June 16, 2021
Grocery Delivery
Arizona Army National Guard soldiers deliver groceries and other items to area residents at a drive-in and walk-up food bank in Phoenix, Ariz., June 15, 2021. The Arizona National Guard has activated more than 800 Arizona guardsmen and airmen to support community needs during this state of emergency response.
COVID-19 Vaccine
Navy Seaman Denisse Estrada-Suarez administers the COVID-19 vaccine during a Tiger Team visit to Marine Forces Special Operations Command at Camp Lejeune, N.C., June 15, 2021.
Formation Run
A Marine carries the Marine Corps Forces South guidon during a formation run around Marine Corps Support Facility New Orleans, June 15, 2021.
High Speed
A field ambulance rushes simulated patients to a combat hospital during Exercise Global Medic at Fort Hunter-Liggett, Calif. June 11, 2021. The exercise aims to provide trained, equipped, and combat ready units and medical personnel to support the total force on the battlefield.
Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III’s Participation in the 8th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus
June 16, 2021
Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby provided the following readout:
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met virtually with his Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) counterparts, along with counterparts from the other ASEAN Dialogue Partners, at the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus, June 15, 2021. In his remarks, Secretary Austin articulated the Administration’s vision for the Indo-Pacific, underscoring the importance of allies and partners, shared principles, and multilateral approaches to security challenges, including pandemic assistance. He also highlighted unlawful PRC behavior in the South China Sea and called on Myanmar’s military to change course.
The Defense Ministers formally adopted this year’s Joint Declaration commemorating the 15th anniversary of the ADMM, which emphasizes a broad commitment by the ADMM-Plus members to collaborate in addressing common challenges, and to uphold a rules-based order. Notably, the Ministers identified natural disasters exacerbated by climate change as a significant emerging regional challenge requiring cooperation to address.
Defense, State Agree: Diversity, Inclusion Important for Mission Success
June 16, 2021 | , DOD News
Diversity and inclusion are as important to the State Department's
ability to conduct diplomacy as they are to the Defense Department's
ability to defend the nation.
At a town hall meeting at the Pentagon for the department's industrial policy community, Stacy A. Cummings, who is performing the duties of undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, met with Ambassador Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, the chief diversity and inclusion officer at the State Department, to discuss the importance of diversity and inclusion in the success of their respective agencies.
"The [secretary of defense] looks at the department, leading through values. And diversity, equity, and inclusion are part of our values as a country and our values as a department,” Cummings said. "His intention is that we incorporate that into our work and everything that we do. It is a strategic imperative, and it's critical to mission success and accomplishment that diversity and inclusion are included in our strategies."
Cummings said leaders across the defense department have been challenged by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III to leverage the strength of the total force, including military personnel, civilians and in the acquisition and sustainment community, industry partners as well.
"The way that I personally think about diversity and inclusion is from the perspective of competing for talent," Cummings said. "In order for us ... to get the best possible capability, we need to have a structure and an environment that incorporates the totality of the United States of America as well as the capabilities of our allies and partners. And if we want to get the best skills, the best capability, the best thought, the best innovation, the only way for us to do that is to encourage everyone to want to compete to be part of our team."
When diversity and inclusion are at the forefront of defense leaders' decision-making, Cummings said, the best people will come forward to be part of not just the A&S team, but also to be a part of the teams that make up the industry partners who provide capabilities for warfighters. Diverse teams, she said, create diverse ideas that are more capable of providing the department with what it needs to keep the nation safe.
We can only do that when we create an environment that's open
for everyone to have ... not just a seat at the table, but a voice — and
actually be able to share their thoughts.''
Stacy A. Cummings, performing the duties of undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment
Those diverse ideas, she said, answer the call for the innovation and modernization at the center of the president's interim national security strategy.
"It is very strongly focused on bringing in innovation and modernization in a way that's affordable so that we can balance innovation and modernization with sustainment or continued current readiness," she said. "And the only way we're going to do that is if we bring in new ideas, and if we bring in new thoughts and technologies."
Ensuring those diverse new ideas come into the department is only possible, she said, if there is an environment within the department itself that invites it in.
"We can only do that when we create an environment that's open for everyone to have ... not just a seat at the table, but a voice — and actually be able to share their thoughts," she said.
Abercrombie-Winstanley said that at the State Department, she's now working to do much the same — bringing in diverse talent to strengthen the ability of her own agency to conduct its diplomatic mission.
"Our biggest challenge, we know, is the system," Abercrombie-Winstanley said. "Many people in our organization do not believe that our system will serve them well, either that they are equally valued, have the same access to assignments that lead to promotion, that lead to retention. And that is where the Department of State struggles most — not with recruiting, but with retention."
In much the same way that diversity and inclusion can bring a broader range of ideas to the Defense Department's acquisition and sustainment community, which translates to better capability for the warfighter, Abercrombie-Winstanley said diversity and inclusion will strengthen the State Department's ability to conduct diplomacy on behalf of the nation.
"The secretary was clear ... we are doing this not just because it's the right thing to do, but because it's going to make our work better," Abercrombie-Winstanley said. "Anyone knows if you got a group of people trying to resolve a problem, the wider array of backgrounds and perspectives that you have at the table are going to give you a wider array of options and recommendations for resolving the issues or the challenges before you."
That wider array of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, Abercrombie-Winstanley said, will help the State Department the way it helps the Defense Department.
"People who come from the region, or have lived experiences in the region, the way of thinking, perspective, culture — all of those things brought to bear are going to help us with our foreign policy," she said. "So that, that's our bottom line there."
Tuesday, June 15, 2021
View From Above
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.
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.
Monday, June 14, 2021
Pediatric Patient
Air Force Lt. Col. Nicole Christiano examines a pediatric patient at a hospital during African Lion 2021 in Tafraoute, Morocco, June 13, 2021. The exercise enhances readiness for U.S. and partner nation forces.
Fighting Flames
Air Force Tech. Sgt. Craigery Hassinger unrolls a fire hose during a live fire exercise at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., June 3, 2021.
Okinawa Offload
Marines and sailors offload equipment from a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter during Poseidon’s Watchtower off the coast of Okinawa, Japan, June 3, 2021. The exercise enhances capabilities of expeditionary advanced base operations in the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility.
Poseidon’s Watchtower
Drill Duty
Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Donovan Smith conducts search and recovery training during a man overboard drill in the Atlantic Ocean, June 12, 2021.
Sailor and Sextant
Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Anette Goelz uses a sextant aboard the USS Lassen during a replenishment in the Atlantic Ocean, June 12, 2021.
Hercules Load
Wyoming Air National Guardsmen load a C-130 Hercules aircraft for training in Cheyenne, Wyo., June 13, 2021.
Night Sky
Space Force successfully launched the Tactically Responsive Launch-2 mission on a Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., June 13, 2021, delivering a technology demonstration satellite to Low Earth Orbit.
Swab Test
An airman performs a nasal swab test during Exercise Amalgam Dart to check for potential exposure to COVID-19 at Thule Air Base, Greenland, June 8, 2021.
Star-Spangled Buoy
Personnel aboard the Coast Guard cutter James Rankin use a crane to lift the Francis Scott Key buoy in Baltimore, June 10, 2021. The buoy marks the site where Key is said to have written the “Star-Spangled Banner” during the War of 1812.
Military Vehicle
Marines conduct training with the Light Marine Air Defense Integrated System in the Saudi Arabia, June 12, 2021.
Medical Screening
Army Staff Sgt. Kenneth Roberts, a combat medic with the 3rd Security Forces Assistance Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas, medically screens a patient prior to administering a COVID-19 vaccine at the community vaccination center at the Henderson County Cooperative Extension Service in Henderson, Ky., June 2, 2021.
Grocery Donations
Army Spc. Marc Camarillo, a mechanic with the 1404th Transportation Company, Arizona Army National Guard, prepares groceries to be delivered to residents at a senior center in Scottsdale, Ariz., June 3, 2021. The Arizona National Guard is continuing to support food banks as well as COVID-19 vaccination sites statewide.
USCGC Eagle arrives in Iceland, hosts U.S.-Iceland meeting
REYKJAVIK, Iceland — USCGC Eagle (WIX 327), "America's Tall Ship," arrived in Reykjavik Wednesday and proceeded to host tours and senior officials through the weekend.
Aboard Eagle moored in the harbor, Vice Adm. Steven Poulin, commander U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area, joined by Jonathan Moore, principal deputy assistant secretary, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, met with Commadore Asgrimur Asgrimsson of the Icelandic coast guard, Chargé d'Affaires Harry Kamian, and Byrndis Kjartansdottir, director of security and defense directorate in the Icelandic Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"I congratulate Iceland on a successful Arctic Council and Arctic Coast Guard Forum chairmanship, and I thank them for their persistent and reliable partnership in the Arctic Council and Arctic Coast Guard Forum. Maintaining a strong, rules-based order in the Arctic remains a top priority, both for my command and the U.S. Coast Guard. Steadfast partners like Iceland enable and enforce this," said Vice Adm. Steven Poulin. "It was a great pleasure to discuss the challenges we share with such dedicated colleagues learning more about our partner agencies and their operations."
The United States was the first country to recognize Iceland's independence in 1944. In addition to being founding members of NATO, the United States and Iceland signed a bilateral defense agreement in 1951. Cooperation and mutual support are the foundation of the U.S.-Icelandic relationship. Visits such as Eagle's allow opportunities to further effective partnerships, collaboration, and interoperability for various issues that can occur in the Arctic.
For more than a century, the U.S. Coast Guard has been the visible U.S. surface presence in the Arctic, ensuring adherence to the rules-based order. We work with High North nations to safeguard and enable the uninterrupted flow of maritime commerce throughout the entire Marine Transportation System, including the burgeoning Arctic and ensure responsible stewardship of its resources. Allies and partners like Iceland are integral to protecting the United States' enduring interests, preserving our mutual interests, and upholding the rules-based international order supporting good maritime governance.
On approach to Iceland, Eagle's crew conducted a wreath-laying in memory of the Treasury-class USCGC Hamilton (WPG 34), torpedoed by German submarine U-132 on January 30, 1942, patrolling the Icelandic coast near ReykjavÃk. Hamilton capsized and sank 28 miles (45 km) from the Icelandic coast on January 30, at the cost of 26 of the ship's 221-person crew. In 2009, divers discovered the wreck in over 300 feet of water, and in 2013, a memorial plaque was placed in honor of those lost.
Eagle is currently conducting summer U.S. Coast Guard Academy cadet training in at-sea leadership and professional development. Their first port call was Portugal in late May. Eagle has served as a classroom at sea to future Coast Guard officers since 1946, offering an at-sea leadership and professional development experience as part of the Coast Guard Academy curriculum.
Eagle is a three-masted barque with more than 6,797 square meters (22,300 square feet) of sail and 9.7 kilometers (6 miles) of rigging. At 90 meters (295 feet) in length, Eagle is the largest tall ship flying the stars and stripes and the only active square-rigger in United States government service. For information about Eagle, including port cities, tour schedules, current events, as well as cadet and active duty crewmember photographs, follow the "United States Coast Guard Barque EAGLE" Facebook page or on Instagram @barqueeagle. All U.S. Coast Guard imagery is in the public domain and is encouraged to be shared widely.
Fighting Flames
Air Force Tech. Sgt. Craigery Hassinger unrolls a fire hose during a live fire exercise at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., June 3, 2021.
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