IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Department of Defense announced today the death of a sailor who was supporting Operation Freedom's Sentinel. Aviation Electronics Technician 2nd Class Slayton Saldana, 24, had been listed Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown (DUSTWUN) following a July 17 non-combat, man overboard incident while underway onboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in the Arabian Sea. [...]
IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (R&E) launched two new websites to provide information on how two of its directorates support OUSD(R&E)’s mission to foster technological dominance across the Department of Defense and ensure the advantage of the American warfighter. The first web site, https://rt.cto.mil, for the [...]
IMMEDIATE RELEASE Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper embarks Friday, Aug 2 to visit Hawaii, Sydney, Auckland, Tokyo, Ulaanbaatar, and Seoul. In Sydney, Secretary Esper will attend the Australia – United States Ministerial Meeting (AUSMIN) where he will join U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in meeting with their Australian counterparts. Throughout his trip, Secretary [...]
IMMEDIATE RELEASE Chief Pentagon Spokesperson Jonathan Hoffman provided the following readout: Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper met with Egyptian Defense Minister Gen. Mohamad Zaki today at the Pentagon to reaffirm the defense relationship between the United States and Egypt. The leaders discussed a broad range of defense issues, including counterterrorism, border and maritime security, [...]
Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper SECRETARY OF DEFENSE DR. MARK T. ESPER: General Zaki, welcome to the Pentagon. It is a pleasure to have you and your team with us here today. As you mentioned, you are the first counterpart I have hosted since I was appointed as secretary of defense, which is [...]
IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Pentagon Force Protection Agency (PFPA) and allied partner agencies will conduct a joint, full-scale emergency response exercise, Agile Warrior, Sat., July 27, 2019, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on the Pentagon Reservation. Agile Warrior is designed to evaluate response and recovery plans, training, and interagency coordination in the event of an [...]
Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper SECRETARY OF DEFENSE DR. MARK T. ESPER: Well, good morning, everyone. And to the troops on the field, you look fantastic. (APPLAUSE) President Trump, Vice President Pence, members of Congress and distinguished guests, thank you for joining us here today. On behalf of the Department of Defense, welcome [...]
Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper STAFF: Good morning, everybody. (CROSSTALK) SECRETARY OF DEFENSE MARK T. ESPER: Hey, good morning. How's everybody doing? Good to see you. (CROSSTALK) STAFF: Just a reminder, on the record. When you ask questions, introduce yourself and your outlet just to — as new people get familiar with new [...]
IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Navy will commission its newest Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, the future USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117), during a 10 a.m. EDT ceremony Saturday, July 27, at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The ship is named in honor of Paul Robert Ignatius, who served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, [...]
IMMEDIATE RELEASE Statement from Pentagon Chief Spokesperson Jonathan Hoffman: Following strong, bipartisan confirmation by the U.S. Senate, the President appointed Dr. Mark T. Esper to be the 27th Secretary of Defense. Secretary Esper has been sworn in and has the full authority and responsibility of the Secretary of Defense. Earlier today, the Senate received the [...]
