Army Capt. Ronnel Baris leads his squad during a jungle operations training course at East Range, Hawaii, Jan. 20, 2021.
Friday, February 12, 2021
U.S. Citizen Charged with Murder of Department of Defense Employee in Bahrain
A U.S. citizen arrived in the United States today after being ordered detained and removed from Bahrain to the United States for the alleged murder of his mother, a Department of Defense civilian employee working in Bahrain.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicholas L. McQuaid of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur of the District of Maryland and Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Oakes of the U.S. Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Middle East Field Office made the announcement.
Giovonni Pope, 27, was charged with murder by way of criminal complaint in the District of Maryland Tuesday. U.S. military authorities in Bahrain arrested Pope and his initial appearance was held via video teleconference, at which time he was ordered detained and removed to the United States pursuant to the Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act.
According to the complaint, on Jan. 31, Pope stabbed his mother, causing her death. In the hours that followed, Pope purchased a plane ticket back to the United States and attempted to clean the residence and dispose of evidence of the crime.
The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Brian Morgan and James Hepburn of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney P. Michael Cunningham of the District of Maryland. The case is being investigated by the U.S. Naval Criminal Investigative Service. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided assistance.
The charges in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Merit Medal
Army Sgt. 1st Class Jackie Lord receives a Meritorious Service Medal from Brig. Gen. Jack M. Davis during a ceremony at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., Feb. 4, 2021. Lord was named the Army's active component career counselor of the year.
DOD to Support FEMA Vaccination Effort
Feb. 12, 2021 | , DOD News
The Defense Department's first 222-person team arrived in California and will begin to support a mass vaccination site in Los Angeles by Feb. 15, said the Pentagon press secretary.
The team will support the Federal Emergency Management Agency's vaccination efforts, John F. Kirby said at a press briefing today.
Additionally, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III authorized an additional 20 teams to support FEMA at vaccination sites around the country, Kirby said. This will be 10 222-person teams and 10 139-person teams. The smaller teams will be assigned to sites with fewer people who need to be vaccinated.
These 20 teams are on "prepare to deploy" orders and will deploy as sites are designated by FEMA, and the teams properly trained and resourced, he said.
This will bring the Defense Department total to more than 4,700 Title 10 personnel supporting, or preparing to support FEMA, he said. These Title 10 personnel are in addition to the more than 26,000 National Guard members and 3,000 active duty personnel who have been supporting COVID-19 efforts over the last year.
"We will continue to work with FEMA as they refine their plan for vaccination sites across the country," Kirby said.
Details are still being worked across the interagency, he added.
Austin Announces Members of Base-Naming Commission
Feb. 12, 2021 | , DOD News
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III announced today the Defense
Department's representatives to the Congressionally-mandated commission
on the naming of items in the department that commemorate the
Confederacy.
"I am pleased to announce today the names of four outstanding leaders who have agreed to serve," he said in a statement.
Retired Navy Adm. Michelle Howard; retired Marine Corps Gen. Bob Neller; Dr. Kori Schake, director of Foreign & Defense Policy Studies at the American Enterprise Institute; and retired Army Brig. Gen. Ty Seidule, emeritus professor of history, U.S. Military Academy, will serve on what's commonly called the Confederate Base Naming Commission.
"Each of these individuals possesses unique and relevant experience in and out of government that I know will inform this important effort. I am enormously grateful for their willingness to serve the nation again, and I thank them in advance for the wise counsel I am confident they will provide," Austin stated.
"I also thank the Congress for establishing this process, and I continue to pledge my personal commitment — and that of the department — to making sure it succeeds. I look forward to seeing the results of the commission's work in the months ahead," he added.
U.S.-India Exercise
In other news today, Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby announced
the start of an important exercise with India. The announcement was
made during a Pentagon press briefing today.
Exercise Yudh Abhyas 20 kicked off in India this week. The exercise,
sponsored by the U.S. Army Pacific, involves about 250 U.S. military
service members and 250 Indian soldiers and is designed to enhance
combined interoperability capabilities through training and cultural
exchange, Kirby said.
"This exercise continues to solidify the U.S.-India major defense partnership and advances cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region," he added.
Five of seven treaty alliances are in the Indo-Pacific region, Kirby mentioned. He said there's a "sharp focus" on that entire region, particularly with threats in the South China Sea.
Ohio Watch
Navy Chief Petty Officer Jessica Cooper stands watch aboard the USS Ohio in the Pacific Ocean, Jan. 23, 2021.
Iron Union
An Army vehicle launches a linear demolition charge system during Iron Union at Al Hamra Training Center, United Arab Emirates, Feb. 4, 2021. The U.S.-United Arab Emirates exercise addresses common threats to regional security in Southwest Asia.
Sharp Shooter
Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Neil Rioja participates in a live-fire M240B machine gun range during training at Camp Fuji, Japan, Feb. 9, 2021.
Statement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on the Department's Representatives to the Congressionally-Mandated Commission on the Naming of Items in the Department of Defense That Commemorate the Confederate States of America
Feb. 12, 2021
I am pleased to announce today the names of four outstanding leaders who have agreed to serve as the Department’s representatives to the Congressionally-mandated commission on the naming of items of the Department of Defense that commemorate the Confederate States of America.
They are:
- Admiral Michelle Howard, U.S. Navy, retired
- General Bob Neller, U.S. Marine Corps, retired
- Dr. Kori Schake, Director of Foreign & Defense Policy Studies, American Enterprise Institute
- Brigadier General Ty Seidule, U.S. Army, retired (Emeritus Professor of History, U.S. Military Academy)
Each of these individuals possesses unique and relevant experience, in and out of government, that I know will inform this important effort. I am enormously grateful for their willingness to serve the nation again, and I thank them in advance for the wise counsel I am confident they will provide.
I also thank the Congress for establishing this process, and I continue to pledge my personal commitment – and that of the Department – to making sure it succeeds. I look forward to seeing the results of the commission’s work in the months ahead.
Nautical Defender
Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Rusty Johnson, center, watches a Saudi sailor connect an explosive tool to a robot during exercise Nautical Defender in Jubail, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 27, 2021. The maritime security exercise broadens levels of cooperation, supports long-term regional security and enhances military-to-military interoperability between Saudi Arabia, the U.K. and the U.S.
Arizona Sunrise
Air Force Staff Sgt. Solomon Walker prepares a C-130H Hercules aircraft for takeoff at Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz., Jan. 29, 2021, during Operation Arizona Sunrise, an exercise focused on joint airborne/air transportability training.
Hawaii Jump
A Marine jumps during airborne operations at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, Hawaii, Feb. 9, 2021.
Snowy Streak
Air Force Staff Sgt. Samuel Ley demonstrates how to use an MK-124 smoke and illumination signal on the Chukchi Sea, Jan. 13, 2021.
Icy Departure
Marines exit a frozen pond during training at the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center, Calif., Feb. 2, 2021.
Flight Prep
Marines and sailors prepare a Navy MH-60S Seahawk helicopter for takeoff from the USS America in the Philippine Sea, Jan. 30, 2021.
Vaccine Prep
Air Force Senior Airman Caleb McCain draws a dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine into a syringe at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., Feb. 7, 2021. More than 250 airmen voluntarily received the first dose of the two-part Moderna COVID-19 vaccine series.
Food Distribution
Army Spc. Priscilla Tran loads a box of canned goods at the Ballard Food Bank in Seattle, Feb. 11, 2021. The Washington National Guard’s food distribution mission continues to alleviate food insecurity in communities impacted by the effects of COVID-19.
Palau Flight
An Air Force crew flies over Palau Feb. 5, 2021, during Cope North, an annual exercise to promote stability and security throughout the Indo-Pacific.
Vaccine Process
Air Force Capt. Susan Ching processes service members and their families to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, Feb. 5, 2021. The base was administering the second dose of the vaccine in an effort to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lejeune Vaccine
Marine Corps Sgt. Alen Ford receives the COVID-19 vaccine at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 11, 2021. Marines received the vaccine to lower the public health risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
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