DOD Statement on Transition Activities

 Nov. 23, 2020

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The Department has received notice that pursuant to the Presidential Transition Act, the GSA Administrator is making certain post-election resources and services available to the Biden-Harris Transition Team. This evening, DOD has been contacted by the Biden-Harris team and their designated lead for the DOD Agency Review Team and, based on the ascertainment by the GSA Administrator, we will begin immediately implementing our plan to provide support in accordance with statute, DOD policy and the memorandum of agreement between the White House and the Biden-Harris team.  The DOD Transition Task Force will arrange and coordinate all DOD contact with the Biden-Harris team.  DOD is prepared to provide post-election services and support in a professional, orderly, and efficient manner that is befitting of the public’s expectation of the Department and our commitment to national security.

Readout of Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher C. Miller's Phone Call With Australian Minister for Defence Reynolds

 Nov. 23, 2020

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On November 23, Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller spoke with Australian Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds to reaffirm the enduring strength of the U.S.-Australia Alliance – the Unbreakable Alliance.  They committed to sustain progress on Alliance priorities, including outcomes from the Australia-U.S. Ministerial (AUSMIN) meeting in July.  They reiterated their support for likeminded approaches to the serious threats to stability currently facing Indo-Pacific nations.  Secretary Miller and Minister Reynolds acknowledged increased alignment in both nations’ perspectives and approach in addressing pressing regional and global security concerns, emphasizing the shared goal in maintaining a Free and Open Indo-Pacific – founded on existing international law and norms and a region free of malign behavior.

Pendleton Pullup

 

Marine Lance Cpl. Raymond Glenn Jr. does a pullup during a squadron field day at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Nov. 13, 2020. The event was held as part of the Marine Corps’ birthday celebration.

Rope Bridge

 

U.S. and Indonesian soldiers learn basic rope and knot techniques during the 2020 Indonesia Platoon Exchange at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, Nov. 19, 2020. Soldiers from both armies put their knot-tying skills to the test by tying and traversing a one-rope bridge while pulling a simulated casualty.

Readout of Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher C. Miller's Phone Call With Singapore Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen

 Nov. 23, 2020

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Today, Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher C. Miller spoke on the phone with his Singapore counterpart, Minister of Defence Ng Eng Hen.  The two leaders reaffirmed their mutual commitment to the U.S.-Singapore bilateral defense relationship.  Acting Secretary Miller expressed appreciation for the regional access Singapore provides to U.S. forces, and both leaders expressed interest in further collaboration on U.S force posture.  Finally, Acting Secretary Miller and Minister Ng noted that they look forward to meeting virtually next month at the Association for Southeast Asian Nations Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus.

Northern Lights

 

A Marine stands watch during a cold weather training event in Setermoen, Norway, Nov. 12, 2020, in preparation for Reindeer II, a bilateral exercise hosted by the Norwegian military to increase support capabilities between NATO allies in extreme conditions.

Sea Ops

 

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Alexis Barker and Petty Officer 2nd Class Jeremy Gorospe, prepare a suction apparatus during a fire drill aboard the USS Shiloh in the East China Sea, Nov. 14, 2020.

Force Fire

 

Marines fire a 120 mm mortar round during a live-fire training in Kuwait, Nov. 17, 2020.

PPE Delivery

 

Army Lt. Col. Pamela Johnson, right, assigned to Civil Affairs East Africa, in support of Combined Joint Task Force--Horn of Africa delivered personal protective equipment to the Office of National Assistance to Refugees and Disaster in Djibouti City, Djibouti, Nov. 18, 2020. CJTF-HOA provided basic PPE to the national stockpile for use and distribution to the general population of Djibouti City.

Distribution Point

Texas Guardsmen participate in a food point of distribution in support of the Tarrant Area Food Bank's mission to provide meals to Texans prior to Thanksgiving in Fort Worth, Texas, Nov. 20, 2020. Since April, the Texas Military Department has provided support to food banks across the state of Texas to serve local communities in response to increased demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Distribution Point

 

Texas Guardsmen participate in a food point of distribution in support of the Tarrant Area Food Bank's mission to provide meals to Texans prior to Thanksgiving in Fort Worth, Texas, Nov. 20, 2020. Since April, the Texas Military Department has provided support to food banks across the state of Texas to serve local communities in response to increased demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Force Fuel

 

An Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker prepares to refuel a B-52 Stratofortress during a Bomber Task Force mission over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Nov. 21, 2020.

DOD Awards $565,000 Contract to Freeman Manufacturing Co. to Increase Domestic Production Capacity of Disposable Gowns

 Nov. 23, 2020

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On Nov. 20, 2020, the Department of Defense (DOD), in coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), awarded a $565,000 contract to Freeman Manufacturing Co. to increase domestic production capability of disposable gowns.

This industrial base expansion effort will allow Freeman to increase production capacity of disposable gowns in Sturgis, Michigan by 1.5 million gowns annually by April 2021, to support domestic gown manufacturing.

The DOD’s Defense Assisted Acquisition Cell led this effort in coordination with the Department of the Air Force’s Acquisition COVID-19 Task Force.  This effort was funded through the HHS Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, to support domestic industrial base expansion for critical medical resources.

Defense Department Launches Initiative to Boost U.S. Industrial Workforce

 Nov. 23, 2020

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One of the most vital challenges for the U.S. defense industrial base is the deficit in domestic manufacturing and engineering talent. In order to address this problem head-on, the Defense Department recently awarded its first nine prototyping projects, valued at nearly $27 million, as part of the launch of the “National Imperative for Industrial Skills” initiative, or “the Skills Imperative.” The awards are an initial step in reigniting U.S. industrial modernization and to restoring the nation as the world’s high-tech leader.

Earlier this year, DOD's industrial policy office issued a standing, five-year request to academia and industry for innovative prototyping proposals to address selected key segments of the industrial skills workforce development ecosystem. These initial awards will build manufacturing prestige across the nation, with awards in Texas, Alabama, Missouri, Tennessee, Virginia, Illinois, Connecticut, Rhode Island and New Hampshire. With additional awards planned for fiscal year 2021, the Skills Imperative will continue to marshal a nationwide focus to provide needed workers for the industrial base.

Led by the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment program office in the office of the deputy assistant secretary of defense for industrial policy, the Skills Imperative enables the United States to build its next generation of combat ships, submarines, aircraft, ground vehicles, missiles, and other platforms and weapon systems. This effort directly addresses the loss of vital skills in the domestic workforce -- a challenge identified in the Executive Order 13806 Report titled “Assessing and Strengthening the Manufacturing and Defense Industrial Base and Supply Chain Resiliency of the United States.”

Jeffrey “Jeb” Nadaner, deputy assistant secretary of defense for industrial policy said “a skilled workforce has been the bedrock of our economic security and when needed our national security. The next arsenal of democracy will be built by American hands and creative minds. Thousands of manufacturing jobs in our defense industrial base await Americans seeking careers with purpose and fulfillment. Whether building automobiles, aircraft carriers or nuclear submarines, the Skills Imperative invites industry allies to rally alongside the department and help Americans develop the necessary skills to be part of these production efforts.”

Adele Ratcliff, the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment program office director, said, “I am confident that this effort will enable greater stakeholder cooperation across the U.S. industrial base and encourage more partners to come forward to join the effort to drive sufficient scale and velocity into our industrial workforce development pipelines, all with the end goal of elevating U.S. manufacturing to world-leading status.”

The Skills Imperative is a call to action to strengthen our economic and national security. Those interested in answering this call can email osd.pentagon.ousd-a-s.mbx.ibas@mail.mil to learn more about the Skills Imperative or how to join the IBAS program’s Cornerstone Consortium of members eligible to propose prototyping efforts.

Operation Warp Speed Refines Vaccine Delivery Plan

 Nov. 23, 2020 | BY LISA SIMUNACI, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE PUBLIC AFFAIRS

While the reality of a COVID-19 vaccine inches closer, the team at Operation Warp Speed is refining its plan to deliver doses across the country. 

Spotlight: Operation Warp Speed

Charged with developing and delivering a vaccine to 300 million Americans, Operation Warp Speed paired military planners with experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to work the details of a monumental plan. 

"The CDC brings a lot to the table. They get vaccines out every year, from children's immunizations to the flu vaccine," Operation Warp Speed Director for Supply, Production and Distribution Paul Ostrowski said. "So the CDC, Health and Human Services and our Department of Defense Planners, who got after the manufacturing piece and are working with the states to plan for every distribution contingency — create a powerful force." 

At the core of the distribution plan are the basic tenets of visibility, coverage, uptake and traceability, Ostrowski explained. Visibility of the vaccine is essential, particularly since the number of doses up front will be limited. 

"We need visibility — not only of vaccines, but of the ancillary items we're distributing, like syringes and needles, because the scrutiny will be unprecedented and we want to know what we have and where it is," Ostrowski said. 

Coverage is the broad dissemination, as this vaccine will be pushed beyond traditional administration channels to ensure everyone who needs it gets it. 

"We have to go beyond brick and mortar," Ostrowski said. "We have to get this to the long-term care facilities, to meat packing plants. We have to go mobile to be able to cover the entire country and not depend on people to come to us."

Uptake is managing the supply and demand.

"We want to make sure we don't have imbalances with overages in one place and shortages in another," he said.

Traceability is also a top concern, Ostrowski said, noting five of the six vaccines require two doses. 

"The vaccines are not interchangeable," he said. "We need the ability to verify the manufacturer and to notify the recipient when it is time for their second dose."

While Operation Warp Speed will deliver vaccine shipments as directed by the jurisdictions, it will be up to the states, territories and major metropolitan areas to further define where the doses ultimately go. 

Operation Warp Speed is using a software platform called Tiberius, which incorporates state and local data and provides decision-support tools to help jurisdictions finalize their micro plans. Information technology specialists have also been provided to assist jurisdictions understand and maximize the Tiberius platform. 

The states collectively received $200 million toward the effort, and $140 million more is destined to arrive before the end of the year. As local plans become more refined, Ostrowski said he is confident the jurisdictions will get it right.

"They're doing this now," he said. "The normal places where people get shots — from chain pharmacies to doctors' offices — are doing this today. We can certainly do it for a COVID-19 vaccine."

Space Force Attracting Digitally Savvy Young People, Leader Says

 Nov. 22, 2020 | BY David Vergun , DOD News

The Space Force is building out the service with the goals of not only defending U.S. and partner assets in space, but also developing capabilities  that might be needed in the future, said its leader, who also mentioned that young people are excited about joining the service.

Space Force Gen. John W. "Jay" Raymond, the chief of space operations and commander of the U.S. Space Command, spoke at a virtual event yesterday at the Halifax International Security Forum.

"We're building a Space Force not just for today, but for 100 years from now," he said. "We have to build a service that not only can do what it needs to do today, but also has the vision of where it might go."

In the coming decades, there could be a commercial space economy valued at over a trillion dollars a year, he said, and there's going to be a role for enhanced security in that domain.

"The role of the Space Force is to provide that stability across the domain so commercial companies and nations can flourish," he said.

Today, the service is largely focused on making sure it can provide joint and coalition partners space capabilities they have become to rely on heavily, he said. 

Capabilities, he said, include satellites that provide communications, GPS, missile warning, situational awareness, weather updates; as well as space control and launch capabilities. 

"Space underpins every bit of our national power. We are strongest when that space domain is stable, secure," he said.

The Space Force and its vision is attracting people to its ranks, he said, noting that he's talked to young people who are fired up about joining. 

"Some of those young people are interested because they think they will be deployed to space. And it's actually refreshing to hear that in a future fight they may very well have that opportunity," he said.

Next month, Raymond mentioned that the first Space Force airman is scheduled to deploy to space when one of the Air Force astronauts on the next SpaceX launch will be sworn into the Space Force after reaching the International Space Station. 

Those who want to join the Space Force need to be digitally fluent, he said.

"We're going to shift toward a digital engineering model," he said. "That means having a digital headquarters and having people on the force that are digitally fluent. And, developing this digital engineering and adopting this digital engineering standard is our model for all acquisitions going forward."

The types of jobs available in the Space Force, he said, are space operators, engineers, acquisition experts, cyber experts and some software programmers. The service will rely on the Air Force for support functions like civil engineering and security forces.

Besides building a digital force, Raymond said the service is working diligently to integrate with coalition partners. "I'm really proud of that line of evidence. It's probably the area that we've made the most significant gains over the last several years."

The Space Force also has strengthened its interagency partnerships, he said, including with NASA and the National Reconnaissance Office. Partnership with industry is also key.

Defense Logistics Agency Closes Out Fiscal 2020 With Small Business Partnership

 Nov. 21, 2020 | BY Chris Erbe, Defense Logistics Agency Public Affairs

The Defense Logistics Agency exceeded its small business contracting goal for the eighth consecutive year by awarding more than 40% of its annual contract dollars to small businesses. Fiscal 2020 also marked the third year in a row that DLA exceeded $15 billion in contract awards to small businesses.

DLA surpassed its Defense Department-mandated small business goal of 32.36% of eligible contracting dollars while promoting participation in DLA contracts by small businesses owned by women and service-disabled veterans, as well as small disadvantaged businesses and those in historically underutilized business zones.

"Small businesses are the backbone of the U.S. economy," said Dwight Deneal, director of DLA Office of Small Business Programs. "These small entities can deliver on time and at the right price, which allows DLA to provide optimum support to the warfighter and our whole-of-government partners."

DLA's engagement with small businesses in fiscal 2020 was largely driven by the nation's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. DLA awarded contracts worth $2.04 billion to support the COVID-19 relief effort and 81%, or $1.66 billion, went to small businesses.

DLA Troop Support in Philadelphia, which supports military and federal customers through five supply chains, managed nearly all of the COVID-19-related contracts for items like eye protection, shoe covers, face shields, cots, aseptic facemasks, surgical masks, exam gloves, hand sanitizer, goggles and nose and throat swabs.  

In September, DLA awarded 37 contracts for disposable and reusable isolation gowns. Fourteen of the 15 prime contractors awarded were small businesses that received contracts worth $280 million, with about $120 million going to woman-owned small businesses and about $90 million to small, disadvantaged businesses. 

The gown contracts are just one example of how DLA leaned on small business suppliers to meet rapidly escalating demands for COVID-19 supplies, said Mike McCall, the associate director of Small Business Programs at DLA Troop Support.

During the pandemic, small businesses have been able to fulfill our country's most urgent needs."

Dwight Deneal, director of DLA Office of Small Business Programs

"Many competitive offers came in from companies we had never dealt with in the past," McCall said. "Our people did a thorough job vetting firms to make sure they could perform the contracted actions. DLA buyers and contracting officers, as well as our quality assurance and technical people, worked tirelessly to ensure that we completed the process to get the personal protective equipment where it was urgently needed, and which also resulted in a broadened domestic supply chain for these products."

Adapting to the pandemic environment, many small businesses have pivoted to pursuing government contracts for the first time. The DLA-managed Procurement Technical Assistance Program addresses small business concerns and advises them on competing for contracts with DOD, other federal agencies and state and local governments. At the same time, it generates new suppliers for DOD, which helps build a stronger industrial base and creates greater competition. 

PTAP operates 94 centers, called PTACs, assisting businesses in 49 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas and in regions established by the Indian Affairs bureau of the U.S. Department of the Interior.

When a craft brewery in Montana saw sales decline early in the pandemic due to mandatory restaurant shutdowns, the owners started producing hand sanitizer to meet local demand. After initial success, company officials turned to the Montana PTAC for help finding additional customers. 

PTAC employees led them to local Department of Veterans Affairs clinics, Army National Guard units and Malmstrom Air Force Base. They also helped owners register in the System for Award Management and develop its Small Business Administration profile, so it was more visible to federal buyers. 

"In fiscal 2020, the PTACs were a critical part of enabling first-time sales to the government and connecting businesses with the government agencies buying COVID-related products and services," said Sherry Savage, PTAP Program Manager. 

In fiscal 2021, DLA small business specialists are reaching out to small business owners to increase their knowledge of the agency's mission and share contracting opportunities. The outreach program includes monthly free webinars with representatives from each of DLA's major subordinate commands outlining current needs and providing advice on how to get started. Participants can also have one-on-one conversations with MSC representatives. 

"During the pandemic, small businesses have been able to fulfill our country's most urgent needs," Deneal said. "Whether there's a pandemic or not, we're doing all we can to make sure, as we execute support for the warfighter and the nation, that small businesses are at the table and winning those opportunities."

Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim Issues Statement Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg

 Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim of the Department of Justice Antitrust Division issued the following statement on his participation in the Robert H. Jackson Center’s virtual reading of Justice Jackson’s opening statement at Nuremberg for the 75^th anniversary of the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg:

“I was honored and humbled to be a part of this project marking 75 years since the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg. Justice Robert Jackson, who was the Chief U.S. Prosecutor at Nuremberg and once held the position of Assistant Attorney General of the Antitrust Division, has long been a hero of mine for his boundless faith in justice and fairness. His work at Nuremberg showed the world that unspeakable acts of hatred will not go unpunished so long as there are good people willing to stand up for the powerless. In my role overseeing the Antitrust Division, I draw on this faith and commitment to justice to guide our work defending American consumers.”

Snowy Security

 

Air Force Senior Airman Bryan Guerrero provides security during training at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Nov. 18, 2020.

Musician Tradition

 

A soldier performs during a retirement ceremony at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., Nov. 19, 2020.