Statement From Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby on Approved Request for Assistance to House Unaccompanied Migrant Children

 March 24, 2021

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"Today, the Department of Defense approved a request for assistance from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to temporarily house unaccompanied migrant children at a vacant dormitory at Joint Base San Antonio – Lackland, Texas and an area of land on Fort Bliss, Texas to construct suitable temporary housing facility. DoD will provide HHS officials access to these locations immediately to begin initial actions to prepare for receiving unaccompanied migrant children as soon as preparations are complete. 
 
This support will be on a fully-reimbursable basis, and will not negatively affect military training, operations, readiness, or other military requirements, including National Guard and Reserve readiness. HHS will maintain custody and responsibility for the well-being and support for these children at all times on the installation."

Wait For It ...

 

Army Sgt. Benjamin Fernandez scans a sector during a leaders course at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., March 19, 2021.

Red Flight Ready

 

An Air Force B-1B Lancer prepares for takeoff during Red Flag at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev, March 8, 2021. Participants work with joint and allied partners in 2.9 million acres of land and airspace to advance interoperability.

Command Senior Enlisted Leader Assignment

 March 24, 2021

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The Office of the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (OSEAC) announced today the following assignment:

Army Sgt. Maj. Brant C. Shyrigh, currently assigned as the G-3 sergeant major for the Headquarters Army Material Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, has been selected to replace Navy Command Master Chief Philip R. Ibanez as the command senior enlisted leader for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Fort Belvoir, Virginia.

Breach Blast

Marines breach a door during a demolition range event in Jordan, March 6, 2021.

 

Drill Down

 

Air Force Airman 1st Class Tyrone Taylor and Airman Destiny Millerd perform during a drill down at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., March 19, 2021. Airmen competed in a quarterly open ranks inspection and regulation and freestyle drill routines.

COVID-19 Vaccine Ready

 

Air Force Senior Airman Edgar Carreon, a radiology technician with the 944th Medical Squadron, fills syringes with the COVID-19 vaccination to be administered to local residents in Wikieup, Ariz., March 23, 2021. Airmen assigned to the 944th Medical Squadron are currently serving alongside Arizona National Guardsmen to provide vaccinations across Arizona.

Food Distribution

 

Members of the North Carolina National Guard and volunteers with the Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina fill vehicles with food during a free food distribution event in Hickory, N.C., March 22, 2021. During the event, the Second Harvest Food Bank and the North Carolina National Guard provided nearly 30,00 pounds of food to 550 families.

Vaccination Site

 

Alabama National Guard soldiers vaccinate Covington County citizens at Jaycee Park in Livingston, Ala., March 23, 2021.

Clean Teeth

 

Army Cpl. Hannah watches a child practice her brushing techniques on a stuffed animal during an oral health class in Arta, Djibouti, March 23, 2021.

Training Transit

 

Soldiers participate in a live-fire exercise at the Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, March 23, 2021.

Red Range

 

Marines fire an M777 howitzer during an indirect fire range at Combined Arms Training Center, Camp Fuji, Japan, March 16, 2021.

Polar Plunge

 

A Marine participates in the polar plunge during extreme cold-weather training in Setermoen, Norway, March 19, 2021.

Playful Pup

 

Army Spc. Sadie Kinney plays with military working dog Aszlam at Fort Carson, Colo., March 8, 2021.

Tactical Team

Marines perform aircraft salvage and recovery training during a weapons and tactics instructor course in Wellton, Ariz., March 19, 2021.

 

Northern Exposure

 

Michigan National Guardsmen conduct decontamination procedures during Northern Exposure 21 in Mount Pleasant, Mich., March 16, 2021.

Target Monitor

 

Army 2nd Lt. Kristi Newlen monitors a computer system that shows target locations at the Dona Ana Range Complex, N.M., March 8, 2021.

Seahawk Signaler

 

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Subrina Hearnes signals to an MH-60R Seahawk during operations aboard the USS Curtis Wilbur in the East China Sea, March 17, 2021.

Contracts Awarded for Next Generation Interceptor Program

 March 23, 2021

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The Department of Defense has awarded two contracts to Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. and Lockheed Martin Corp. in support of the Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) program. With an estimated maximum value of $1.6 billion through fiscal year 2022, this contract award is structured to carry two designs into the technology development and risk reduction phase of the acquisition program to reduce technical and schedule risk. This award will ensure NGI is an efficient and effective part of an integrated Missile Defense System (MDS) solution. 

The Missile Defense Agency awards on March 23, 2021 support the department’s goal of increased competition by funding two designs while remaining flexible to align with evolving Defense Department strategies and priorities. 

“Today’s awards are an important step in modernizing our Missile Defense System,” said Stacy Cummings, performing the duties of Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment. “NGI plays an important role in our homeland defense, and our acquisition strategy is ensuring the department maximizes innovation to keep pace with rapidly advancing threats.”

As the ground-based midcourse missile defense system, NGI is an advanced interceptor designed to protect the nation against intercontinental ballistic missile attack. The department will uphold “fly before you buy” principles to ensure the overall system and components have been rigorously flight-tested prior to making any procurement decisions.

“NGI is the result of the first holistic technical assessment of homeland defenses the department has conducted since initial system operations began in 2004,” added Vice Adm. Jon Hill, Director, Missile Defense Agency. “By planning to carry two vendors through technology development, MDA will maximize the benefits of competition to deliver the most effective and reliable homeland defense missile to the warfighter as soon as possible. Once fielded, this new homeland defense interceptor will be capable of defeating expected threat advances into the 2030s and beyond.”   

For media queries, contact Missile Defense Agency Public Affairs at MDAPressOperations@mda.mil.

Stratotanker Scan

 

Airmen inspect an Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker before a flight at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, March 18, 2021.