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Navy Seaman Ezequiel Vega receives the COVID-19 vaccine at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., Dec. 21, 2020, as part of Operation Warp Speed. The national initiative accelerates the development, production and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics.
Air Force and Air National Guard aircraft line up in formation at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Dec. 18, 2020.
Soldiers conduct parachute landing falls at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Dec. 17, 2020.
Dec. 22, 2020 | BY David Vergun , DOD News
From 1961 to 1962, Baylor served on active duty in the Army and was stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington.
Instead of using his weekend liberty to go home or party with friends, Baylor used this time to continue playing for the LA Lakers, driving or flying to each game.
However, Army duties came first, and Baylor only managed to play 48 games during the 1961-62 season, but he scored more than 1,800 points. He averaged 38 points, 19 rebounds and five assists in each of those 48 games.
In all, Baylor appeared in eight National Basketball Association finals and helped to carry his team as a gifted shooter, rebounder and passer.
He was named NBA Rookie of the Year in 1959, and he was an 11-time NBA All-Star and a 10-time member of the All-NBA first team.
He's known as one of basketball's greatest players, and in 1977, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Other inductees include: Julius Erving, Larry Bird, James Worthy, Scottie Pippen, Dominique Wilkins, Rick Barry, Cheryl Miller and Sheryl Swoopes.
Unfortunately, Baylor is widely regarded as the greatest NBA player never to win a championship.
Following his time with the Lakers, Baylor served as coach for the New Orleans Jazz in 1974 and from 1976 to 1979.
He then served as vice president of basketball operations for the LA Clippers from 1986 until he retired in 2008.
In 2006, he won the NBA Executive of the Year award.
Baylor was also a minor Hollywood star, appearing on the TV series "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" in 1968, the Jackson 5's first TV special in 1971, an episode of "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century," and "Olympiad" in 1980.
On April 6, 2018, a large, bronze statue of Baylor was unveiled at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. He attended the ceremony along with his fellow basketball greats Jerry West, Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O'Neal.
Dec. 22, 2020 | BY Elaine Sanchez
Army Capt. Rebecca Parrish, an Army nurse who has been serving on the frontlines of health care since the pandemic began, was among a small group of frontline medical professionals who received the first Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines at BAMC.
"I'm ready to eradicate this virus," said Parrish, a COVID-19 intensive care unit nurse.
After Air Force Senior Airman Marisol Salgado administered Parrish's shot, a round of applause broke out in the room.
"This is a historic moment for BAMC," said Army Col. Michael Wirt, deputy commanding officer. "We are excited to launch this program today, focusing on our frontline staff, and look forward to expanding it to additional BAMC clinical and support teams in the days ahead."
As for the shot itself, "The flu shot hurts way more than that did," Parrish said with a smile. "I didn't even feel the needle go in."
Air Force Col. Heather Yun, deputy commander for medical services and an infectious disease physician, said she was "grateful and quite honestly thrilled to see this moment in history arrive."
"We have a vaccine that by all the data represents an incredibly effective and safe solution that exceeds all of our initial expectations, performing well in all ages, all demographic groups tested and with 95% efficacy," Yun said. "This is the turning point that we have all been waiting for, and I am so ready to take this necessary step to putting the pandemic in the past. When it's my turn, you will find me in that line with my sleeve rolled up."
The Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization, or EUA, for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine last week for U.S. citizens ages 16 and older on a voluntary basis. The San Antonio Military Health System, to include BAMC and Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, is among the handful of Defense Department sites to receive doses of the vaccine. As the distribution hub, WHASC began vaccinating earlier this week, while BAMC received its first allocation of the vaccines after a thorough review of the receipt, distribution and administration process.
"The fact that we are among the first DOD sites to receive the vaccine is a testament to this team and their ability to carry out this important mission," said Army Brig. Gen. Shan Bagby, BAMC commanding general. "This process took a tremendous concerted effort from our logistics, administrative and clinical personnel."
The DOD's COVID-19 Task Force selected initial distribution sites based on capabilities that included the ability to accommodate ultra-cold, bulk storage; population of priority personnel and sufficient medical personnel to administer and track vaccine recipients.
BAMC will distribute the vaccine in a phased process, based on guidance from the Defense Department and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The first phase includes inpatient and outpatient health care and support personnel, emergency services and public safety personnel. At BAMC, the intensive care unit and emergency department staff involved in direct patient care were the first group vaccinated..
"After we validate the vaccination flow, we will begin to vaccinate in larger numbers and expand the recipient population, based on supply and the prioritization plan," said Bagby, noting more information regarding local prioritization of staff and patients will be available soon.
"We know there will be questions regarding this program, and we will do our best to address all concerns," he added. "We want to ensure our patients, service members, staff and families fully understand the process as we distribute and administer the vaccine in the days ahead, starting with the prioritized groups."
As the program ramps up, health care leaders are encouraging people to take the vaccine when offered to protect their health as well as the health of their family and community.
Yun acknowledged the uncertainty the public may feel about COVID-19 vaccines and their safety and stressed the importance of education and information to allay concerns.
"The vaccine approval process may seem swift, but I want to assure everyone that the review process has been incredibly comprehensive with all the data made available to peer-review, to an independent working group and to the Food and Drug Administration. The process has been open to the public, transparent and reassuringly highly rigorous."
"With approximately 70,000 subjects enrolled between the Pfizer and Moderna trials, which use the same technology, the symptom profile has been similar to what is seen with other routine vaccines, and most people did not have any symptoms beyond a sore arm," she added.
Post-vaccination symptoms are normal and, in fact, a positive sign, Yun explained. "Vaccines fight disease by producing an immune response within the body. Sometimes that means flu-like symptoms, such as aches and pains, headache and a low-grade fever may occur after being vaccinated. This is normal and a sign that your body is creating an immune response to protect you from COVID-19."
"Every person who steps up to take the vaccine when it's their turn is another step toward ending the pandemic," Yun noted, stressing the importance of having a large proportion of the population who are immune to SARS-CoV-2.
"This is our pathway to ending this pandemic safely; to contemplating a future without anxiety about transmitting COVID-19 to our loved ones; to ending the otherwise endless news reports on the climbing numbers of deaths; to being able to plan dinners out, concerts, weekends and holidays, vacations and college and nursing home visits; to attend births, graduations. promotions, weddings and all the important milestones of life" she said. "This, just like wearing masks and washing hands, will be a step that we can take to protect not only ourselves but also our families, our communities and our country."
"It's incredibly exciting to be involved in this historic national effort to stop the spread of COVID-19," Bagby added. "We are truly at the tip of the spear in this fight against this virus."
Get more information on the DOD's COVID-19 efforts and distribution plan from the Military Health System.
(Elaine Sanchez is assigned to Brooke Army Medical Center.)
Dec. 22, 2020
U.S. Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher C. Miller met with the President of Afghanistan, Ashraf Ghani, today at the Presidential Palace in Kabul.
Secretary Miller stated that it was an honor to return to Afghanistan again and to visit the men and women of the U.S armed forces who are spending their holidays overseas to ensure the safety and security of the American people and stability and security of Afghanistan.
Secretary Miller and President Ghani discussed the historic opportunity for peace, the continued U.S. support for the Afghanistan National Defense and Security Forces, and the importance of achieving a reduction in violence to advance the peace process.
Dec. 21, 2020
Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher C. Miller travelled to Royal Air Force bases Mildenhall and Lakenheath in the United Kingdom on Monday, December 21.
While at RAF Mildenhall, the Acting Secretary met with U.S. military leaders regarding the U.S. participation in the UK’s 2021 deployment of HMS Queen Elizabeth Carrier Strike Group, presented Secretary of Defense Maintenance Effectiveness Awards, met with service members and observed Special Operations aviation capabilities and platforms.
At RAF Lakenheath, Acting Secretary Miller received updates on COVID testing, treatment and vaccination efforts, observed Security Force and Emergency Response training facilities and viewed F-15 training simulators.
As home to 16 U.S. military bases and more than 20,000 U.S. military personnel, Department of Defense civilians and family members, the Acting Secretary’s visit served to further bolster the vital transatlantic alliance shared by our two countries.
An F-16 Fighting Falcon flies over southwest Asia, Dec. 4, 2020. The F-16 is a compact, multi-role fighter aircraft that delivers airpower to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.
Army Staff Sgt. Nigel Chen, a New York National Guardsman, administers the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at the Camp Smith Training Site Medical Readiness Clinic, N.Y., Dec. 18, 2020. The New York National Guard is administering 44,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine to front line medical personnel at 16 locations around the world as part of a pilot program.
Army Capt. Sarah Hensley gets fitted for an N95 mask to support the Marshfield Medical Center in Marshfield, Wis., Dec. 14, 2020, as part of the Defense Department’s COVID-19 response.
A Marine conducts a combat patrol during Exercise Forest Light in Japan, Dec. 16, 2020. Forest Light is an annual bilateral training exercise that strengthens the interoperability and readiness of the Marine Corps and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.
Guided missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill leads patrol coastal ships USS Firebolt and USS Squall, and Coast Guard patrol boats USCGC Maui, USCGC Monomoy and USCGC Wrangell through the water with U.S. and Saudi fighter aircraft flying above them during a maritime surface warfare exercise in the Persian Gulf, Dec. 17, 2020.
Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Manuel Morales, a musician with the 2nd Marine Division Band, performs during the band’s “rolling” Christmas concert at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Dec. 17, 2020. The band traveled in a tactical vehicle for this year’s concert, visiting various neighborhoods at the base.
Marines stay alert while on patrol during a helicopter raid as part of an exercise in Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 17, 2020.
Dec. 21, 2020
The Federal Register published the final rule titled “National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM)” (32 CFR part 117) today. The rule can be found here.
The NISPOM establishes requirements for the protection of classified information disclosed to or developed by contractors, licensees, grantees, or certificate holders to prevent unauthorized disclosure. The rule will become effective February 24, 2021, and authorizes the contractor no more than 6 months to comply with changes from the effective date of the rule.
Any media inquiries on the NISPOM becoming a federal rule should be directed to OSD/Public Affairs.
Dec. 21, 2020 | BY MARK SCOTT
Smiles and joy were spotted on Guam just in time for the holiday season as Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, Army Maj. Gen. Esther Aguigui, adjutant general, and Santa Claus himself made appearances at Guam National Guard drill weekend holiday events, Dec. 12, 2020.
Beginning with a holiday lighting ceremony and gift drive-thru event on Saturday, the Guam Air National Guard's 254th Air Base Group kicked off the weekend-long celebration. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Sheleena Cruz, family programs coordinator for the ABG, was the lead planner of the event.
"We were trying to think of something safe for the kids to do, because we couldn't do our normal holiday meal due to COVID-19," Cruz said. "But it's okay because all the units came together to start a new tradition. It's just overwhelming — all of the support that we got."
On Sunday, it was the Army's turn with a 384th National Guard birthday cake-cutting ceremony and holiday meal grab-and-go for the troops. These events ere also attended by the governor and adjutant general.
"The message is hope," Cruz said. "Although we're going through crazy times, we can adapt, and change can be good. All we want is for the kids and families to leave here feeling a sense of hope."
(Mark Scott is assigned to the Guam National Guard.)
A soldier rehearses the process of preparing a COVID-19 vaccine for administration at Fort Riley, Kan., Dec. 14, 2020.
Marine Corps Cpl. Kevion Fennel collects a water sample from a reservoir at Camp Hansen in Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 9, 2020, during a simulated humanitarian assistance mission as part of a training exercise.
Dec. 19, 2020 | BY Jim Garamone , DOD News
Soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen and Guardians. That's the line-up for personnel in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and America's newest armed service — the U.S. Space Force.
Vice President Mike Pence announced that personnel in the Space Force will be called Guardians. He spoke during a White House event marking the first anniversary of the U.S. Space Force, yesterday.
"It is my honor, on behalf of the President of the United States, to announce that, henceforth, the men and women of the United States Space Force will be known as 'Guardians,'" Pence said during the ceremonies.
The Trump administration championed establishing the U.S. Space Force culminating in the legislation signed Dec. 20, 2019, that formed the first U.S. armed force since the Air Force was established in 1947. "That historic moment was a culmination of an effort that began from the early days of this administration — from almost the first moment that the president and I spoke about space when we were campaigning for these jobs," Pence said. "He had a dual focus of renewing American leadership in human space exploration, but also ensuring that America remained as dominant in space as we are in land and air and sea."
There are roughly 4,000 Guardians in the U.S. Space Force — all from the Air Force. One of the newest members of the service is in orbit aboard the International Space Station. Space Force Col. Michael Hopkins, a NASA astronaut, transferred from the Air Force to the Space Force. This is a far cry from earlier this year when Gen. John "Jay" Raymond and Chief Master Sergeant Roger Towberman were the only two members of the Space Force.
That space is now a war-fighting domain is not questioned. Russia and China are aggressively seeking ways to cut into America's dominance in space, Pence said. He noted that Russia conducted yet another antisatellite missile launch. "We're leading in space, but our determination … is to stay in the lead to defend America and defend our freedom from [the vantage point of] space," he said.
The vice president also noted that the first two space bases are up and operating: Patrick Space Force Base and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station were renamed earlier this month.
The Space Force has to form even as the missions continue. "Let me urge each and every one of you Guardians to keep pushing," Pence said. "Keep pushing the vision and the mission of the United States Space Force, which is to ensure that America remains as dominant in space."
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