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Nov. 13, 2020
Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher C. Miller spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Benjamin "Benny" Gantz over the phone today. Acting Secretary Miller reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to maintain Israel's Qualitative Military Edge.
Both leaders expressed continued support to advance shared U.S.-Israeli defense priorities and to further strengthen the two nations' military-to-military cooperation.
Nov. 13, 2020
Acting Secretary of Defense Mr. Christopher C. Miller conducted a phone call with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to connect on the important issues being advanced in the transatlantic Alliance and communicate U.S. policy continuity following leadership changes.
The leaders discussed the continued importance of coordination in support of NATO Missions in Afghanistan and Iraq. Acting Secretary Miller and Secretary General Stoltenberg discussed the threat from Russia and the challenge posed by China.
Nov. 13, 2020
Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher C. Miller met with the Lithuanian Minister of Defence Raimundas Karoblis today at the Pentagon. Acting Secretary Miller noted the important role Lithuania plays in NATO's readiness, including its support to NATO's enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) and its central role in maintaining an effective deterrent against Russia in the Baltic region.
The leaders exchanged views on the way forward on implementation of decisions made at the recent NATO Defense Ministerial, as well as on bilateral defense concerns.
Acting Secretary Miller emphasized the value of our close security partnership, including the important role of U.S. security assistance in helping develop Lithuania's capabilities and infrastructure, as well as efforts to improve interoperability.
Acting Secretary Miller thanked Minister Karoblis for exceeding NATO defense spending and modernization commitments. He also thanked the Defence Minister for Lithuania's international diplomats, his offer to continue hosting U.S. forces, and for Lithuania’s support to the International Maritime Security Construct.
Acting Secretary Miller and Minister Karoblis signed a document acknowledging Lithuania's Letter of Offer and Acceptance to procure U.S. UH-60M Black Hawks to help modernize its helicopter fleet and further NATO interoperability. This procurement, with an expected value of $243 million, will be the largest host-nation-funded procurement of U.S. defense articles in Lithuanian history.
The two leaders agreed on the importance of the ongoing cooperation and pledged to continue this path in the future for the benefit of both countries' shared security interests and the U.S.-Lithuania bilateral defense agenda.
An Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Nov. 4, 2020.
Air Force Senior Airman Trevon Walker uses a Kestrel meter to measure wind speed, humidity and altitude to provide takeoff recommendations for a C-5M Super Galaxy at Amedee Army Airfield, Calif., Nov. 5, 2020.
A soldier assigned to the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as “The Old Guard,” walks the mat at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during a Veterans Day Observance at Arlington National Cemetery, Va., Nov. 11, 2020.
An Air Force F-35A Lightning II prepares to land at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., Nov. 2, 2020.
A Michigan National Guard soldier works at the Gleaners Community Food Bank warehouse in Warren, Mich., Nov. 2, 2020, to support COVID-19 response efforts. Since March, Michigan National Guard soldiers and airmen have supported food banks across the state, distributing more than 7 million pounds of food.
Airmen participate in the 13th Annual Fallen Defender Ruck March at Joint Base San Antonio, Nov. 6, 2020. The event honors 186 fallen security forces, security police and air police members who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Michigan National Guard soldiers work at the Gleaners Community Food Bank warehouse in Pontiac, Mich., Nov. 4, 2020, to support COVID-19 response efforts. The warehouse feeds 1,000 families daily.
Nov. 13, 2020
ACTING SECRETARY OF DEFENSE CHRISTOPHER C. MILLER: Be seated. Thank you so much.
I'm going to have a -- a little water. If you don't mind, I'll have my mask off while I speak.
LITHUANIAN DEFENSE MINISTER RAIMUNDAS KAROBLIS: Yeah, we -- we too wear masks because of optic.
SEC. MILLER: Thank you so much for visiting. Minister Karoblis, it is a pleasure to welcome you and your team to the Pentagon as we continue to strengthen the defense relationship between our two countries. This is my first in-person meeting with a foreign leader as acting Secretary of Defense, and like I said downstairs, I couldn't have planned for a more appropriate and important visitor.
Over the past few days, I've spoken with my foreign counterparts in Germany, France, and the United States -- oh, sorry, the United Kingdom. I'm going to speak with a lot in the United States. I'm going to cover them in a moment. This afternoon I'll talk with NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg, who's just doing a remarkable job all around. I've also talked with our partners in Congress, including Leader McConnell, Speaker Pelosi, and the chairs and ranking members of the Senate and House Armed Services Committee.
I want to assure the American public and our allies and partners that the Department of Defense remains strong and continues its vital work of protecting our homeland, our people and our interests around the world. We do that in concert with steadfast allies like Lithuania.
For decades, our two nations have stood arm-in-arm in defense of our shared values. I understand there is a plaque -- I -- I want to come see this soon, as soon as we're able to travel safely again. I understand there's a plaque in the center of your capitol to commemorate President George W. Bush's remarks upon your invitation into NATO in 2002. One of our officers who has served there wanted to make sure that it was in there, and that was just such a powerful, powerful symbol when I heard about it. That plaque reads, "Anyone who would choose Lithuania as an enemy has also made an enemy of the United States of America."
I also think it is important to note that the first American to cement this relationship was the acting Secretary of State, Sumner Welles, who refused to accept Soviet domination of Lithuania in the summer of 1940.
President Bush's words ring true today. We remain firmly committed to the NATO alliance, and we share Lithuania's concern regarding Russia's malign behavior.
In light of this and other challenges, we are working closely with Lithuania and other allies to strengthen our security cooperation, enhance deterrence of Russia and bolster Baltic defense. Likewise, Lithuania continues to play an active and important role in NATO operations while protecting the alliance's eastern flank.
The United States is truly grateful for Lithuania's extraordinary host nation support, as demonstrated by the deployment of 500 U.S. military personnel from the U.S. Army's famed First of the Ninth (1-9) Calvary during the nine-month Atlantic Resolve rotation. This is one of the largest examples of sustained U.S. presence in your country, and hopefully, that will continue well into the future.
Further, we look forward to the upcoming rotation in December of 2-8 Calvary Battalion to one of the best training areas in the world in Pabrade. We also appreciate your contributions to the alliance and your commitment to defense modernization and NATO interoperability. We've come so far in the last 20, 30 years.
We commend you for your recent purchase of Joint Light Tactical Vehicles and your upcoming acquisition of UH-60 Black Hawks, the best utility helicopter the world has ever seen; couldn't ask for a better helicopter. Well done, sir. We appreciate it, and we look forward to interoperability exercises in the future.
This is the -- expected value is $243 million. This is the largest nationally-funded investment through foreign military sales in your country's history. Your continued investments in defense set a strong example for other allied and partner nations, and we applaud you for maintaining defense spending consistently at or above two percent of GDP. I encourage all allied nations to follow your lead in meeting the two percent spending target to make needed investments to enhance their capabilities and capacity while strengthening our collective defense.
As you know, two percent should be a floor, not a ceiling. I know we've -- great line. It's really true. That's -- that's -- that's just common sense, and that's how partnerships work.
The United States is proud to stand with Lithuania as steadfast allies, and we remain committed to deterring Russian aggression -- you know that -- boosting readiness and strengthening our mutual security together.
Let me close up congratulating you your -- upcoming Armed Forces Day celebration on November 23rd. Best wishes to you and all of your military members and families.
On a personal note, one of the most legendary figures in our Army Special Forces' history is Major Generally -- Major General Sidney Shachnow, who immigrated from Lithuania after World War II. Unfortunately, -- we lost Major General Shachnow a couple years ago. He was the epitome of a gentleman, an officer, and a warrior. He was a mentor of mine at an extraordinary degree. I only wish he was here with us today. I know he's here in spirit, though.
Thank you, Mr. Minister, for your visit today. Really look forward to our discussions.
This is a just fabulous day for the United States Department of Defense, and I know for Lithuania, too. This is a critical partnership, an important partnership, and I think we're -- frankly, I think we're setting the tone and setting the procedures for future cooperation throughout NATO.
So thank you, Mr. Prime Minister.
Over to you, sir -- Mr. Minister -- sorry.
KAROBLIS: (inaudible) --
MILLER: You may be prime minister -- may be prime minister soon, but we don't want to put that out just yet.
KAROBLIS: Yeah.
Mr. Secretary -- Mr. Secretary, thank -- thank you for -- for receiving to me and my delegation, very busy days for you, indeed, and I'm very much encouraged by your words, including the plate on the municipality and reading the -- quoting the -- the words of President Bush. And -- and yes, we have -- never have doubts about -- about the U.S. position (inaudible) historic and (inaudible).
And first of all, I would like also to congratulate, with the Veteran's Day, which was two days ago, and also with -- with -- to express condolences for the U.S. servicemen died in -- in Egypt. Yes, it's unfortunate that happened, so sincere condolences for -- for -- for you and for the families.
Well, speaking about our relationship, indeed, the -- so Lithuania is staunch for American alliance, the region in Europe and with the absolute support from the society regarding the presence of U.S. in -- in Europe and the U.S. leadership. We have served and fought together in Afghanistan and Iraq. We are working to contain Russia. We are protecting together the eastern flank of NATO, supporting Ukraine and other activities.
On the other hand, Lithuania being frontier country, we are investing to other security ourselves, also, and during the years from -- the year from 2014 to 2020, we increased defense spending three times, reaching for two -- well above the defense financement, well above two percent in 2020.
We have very great preparation in -- in different areas and in this classical military preparation, but also there are also other areas which have good cooperation. For example, with cyber, one example is the creation of the Joint Regional Cyber Defense Center in -- in -- in Vilnius, which will -- I believe, will start its functions very soon, and also to be important for all region -- wide region, including allies and partners. But we believe it's -- it's -- it's support of national but we believe it's also for the United States.
And of course, so this -- another issue, and the main reason regarding the timing why I'm here, so it's certainly a historic moment because we are signing the agreement to procure Black Hawks, UH-60 helicopters. It's not only about the equipment, but for, which is very important for our armed forces, but it's most symbolically with this project we will be able to -- to quit with the last legacy of -- of -- of Soviet equipment. So in the (inaudible) -- in -- in our armed forces in general in -- in -- in the forces.
So it's important, very, we continue cooperation with you on -- also on this issue, but also on other issues. You -- you -- you mentioned another weapons systems like (inaudible), munition and Javelins and similar systems, and in general. So during next five years, we (inaudible) plans to -- to buy -- so, the weaponry systems from the United States so within the amount of half a billion dollars, when -- of our total defense budget is -- is -- is one billion (inaudible) half euro.
So we really thank you very much, and for -- for -- for the possibility to be here with this -- this -- this visit, and also even more for the cooperation, -- which great cooperation between the United States and -- and Lithuania.
Thank you very much. Looking forward for the discussion.
Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Alexis Primes takes a reading in the engine room aboard the USS Ralph Johnson in the Arabian Sea, Nov. 10, 2020.
Nov. 13, 2020 | BY Jim Garamone , DOD News
Acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller used his meeting with Lithuanian Defense Minister Raimundas Karoblis to reassure leaders that although there has been a change at the top of the department, "the Department of Defense remains strong and continues its vital work of protecting our homeland, our people and our interests around the world."
This was Miller's first meeting with a foreign counterpart. He stressed the need for steadfast allies.
Miller, who replaced Dr. Mark T. Esper as secretary on Nov. 9, told Karoblis he has spoken with many allied counterparts, including those in France, Germany and the United Kingdom. After the Lithuania meeting, Miller will speak with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. He has also spoken with leaders of both parties in Congress.
The acting secretary noted the history behind the U.S. relationship with Lithuania, saying that acting Secretary of State Sumner Welles refused to accept the annexation of Lithuania into the Soviet Union in 1940. He also quoted former U.S. President George W. Bush, who spoke when Lithuania was invited into NATO. "Anyone who would choose Lithuania as an enemy has also made an enemy of the United States of America," Bush said.
Miller assured Karoblis that the United States shares Lithuania's concern regarding Russia's malign behavior. "In light of this and other challenges, we are working closely with Lithuania and other allies [to] strengthen our security cooperation, enhance deterrence of Russia and bolster Baltic defense," he said. "Likewise, Lithuania continues to play an active and important role in NATO operations, while protecting the alliances' eastern flank."
Lithuania hosts U.S. troops — most recently soldiers of the 1st Battalion 9th Cavalry — who were part of Exercise Atlantic Resolve. Lithuanian service members have also fought alongside U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Lithuania spends more than 2 percent of gross domestic product on defense — a goal of all countries in the NATO alliance, Miller said.
Karoblis thanked the acting secretary for the warm welcome. He emphasized the cooperation between the two nations in the conventional domains, but said he looked forward to working with U.S. specialists in Lithuania's new Regional Cyber Defense Center, which will open next year.
He said Lithuania has bought the U.S. joint tactical vehicle and will invest in Blackhawk helicopters, which will at last allow the nation to get rid of its legacy equipment from the Soviet Union and open a new degree of interoperability with its NATO allies.
Nov. 13, 2020
Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher C. Miller announced today that the president has made the following nomination:
Rear Adm. Jeffrey W. Hughes for appointment to the rank of vice admiral, and assignment as deputy chief of naval operations for warfighting development, N7, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C. Hughes is currently serving as commander, Navy Personnel Command; and deputy chief of naval personnel, Millington, Tennessee.
Acting Secretary of Defense Mr. Christopher C. Miller conducted a phone call with German Minister of Defence Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer to underscore the United States’ strong and enduring commitment to U.S.-Germany ties and the transatlantic relationship.
The leaders agreed on the importance of strengthening the U.S.-Germany defense relationship. Acting Secretary Miller and Minister Kramp-Karrenbauer reaffirmed their commitment to cooperation on issues of mutual strategic importance, including increased burden sharing, promoting security and stability in the Middle East, and countering malign influence in Europe and beyond.
Nov. 13, 2020
Acting Secretary of Defense Mr. Christopher C. Miller conducted a phone call with U.K. Secretary of State for Defense Ben Wallace to underscore the importance of strong bilateral ties and the transatlantic Alliance.
The leaders discussed approaches to shared global security challenges and ongoing efforts to deepen the U.S.-UK defense relationship. Acting Secretary Miller and Secretary of State Wallace discussed transatlantic security cooperation, operations in the Middle East, and continued cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
Nov. 13, 2020
Acting Secretary of Defense Mr. Christopher C. Miller conducted a phone call with French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly to strengthen the enduring U.S.-France relationship and transatlantic ties.
The leaders affirmed their commitment to bolster the U.S.-France defense relationship and collaborate on global security challenges. Acting Secretary Miller and Minister Parly discussed the importance of continued cooperation in the Sahel, promoting security and stability in the Middle East, and projecting Alliance unity to counter shared threats.
Nov. 13, 2020
On November 13, Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher C. Miller spoke with Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi by phone to reaffirm that the U.S.-Japan Alliance remains the cornerstone of defense and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Acting Secretary Miller also congratulated Minister Kishi on his recent appointment as Defense Minister. The Ministers agreed to continue advancing ongoing discussions on the response to COVID-19, security issues in the Indo-Pacific region, and continued cooperation in new domains such as space and cyber.
Army 2nd Lt. Lasheema Rose aim an M4 carbine during individual weapons qualification at Fort Drum, N.Y., Nov. 7, 2020.
Nov. 13, 2020
The secretary of the Navy and chief of naval operations announced today the following assignments:
Rear Adm. Alvin Holsey will be assigned as commander, Navy Personnel Command; and deputy chief of naval personnel, Millington, Tennessee. Holsey is currently serving as special assistant to commander, Naval Air Forces/commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, with additional duty as director, Task Force One Navy, Washington, D.C.
Rear Adm. (lower half) Richard J. Cheeseman Jr. will be assigned as commander, Carrier Strike Group Ten, Norfolk, Virginia. Cheeseman is currently serving as commander, Carrier Strike Group Two, Norfolk, Virginia.
Rear Adm. (lower half) Brendan R. McLane will be assigned as commander, Navy Warfare Development Command, Norfolk, Virginia. McLane is currently serving as commander, Carrier Strike Group Ten, Norfolk, Virginia.
Rear Adm. (lower half) Scott F. Robertson will be assigned as commander, Carrier Strike Group Two, Norfolk, Virginia. Robertson is currently serving as commander, Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center, San Diego, California.
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