The Pentagon is bolstering security at the US Embassy in Iraq after Iranian-backed militias attacked it on Dec. 31. About 750 soldiers are immediately deploying aboard USAF C-17s, with more deployments possible over the next several days. “To Iran and its proxy militias: We will ...
Defense Secretary Mark Esper
The US may soon drawdown forces in Afghanistan, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Dec. 16. Commanders on the ground say they can accomplish their mission with a smaller footprint allowing the Defense Department to shift troops to higher priority locations. “I would like to go ...
Matthew Donovan will assume a new role as acting Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness following the resignation of Jimmy Stewart on Dec. 13, Defense Secretary Mark Esper announced. Donovan has served as under secretary of the Air Force since August 2017, though ...
The Islamic State group has not completely been pushed out of Syria and without a sustained US presence, including air surveillance and strike operations, it will re-emerge within a matter of months, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley said at a ...
Senate and House conferees have reached an agreement on the fiscal 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, with a vote expected on Dec. 9, key lawmakers said. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said it is essential the NDAA fully authorize the creation of the Space Force.
The military is reviewing its security precautions and vetting of foreign nationals training at US bases following the Dec. 6 shooting at NAS Pensacola, Fla., but military officials are cautioning about cutting back on this training in the future. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. ...
Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Dec. 6 refuted a recent Wall Street Journal report that the US is contemplating sending 14,000 more troops to the Middle East.
The US and South Korea are canceling more exercises, including a recently announced small scale “flying training event” to allow for more discussions with North Korea, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said. While Esper said the move is an “act of goodwill to contribute to an ...
The Air Force aims to split $30 billion in savings from accelerating the retirement of legacy assets in four “bins,” according to Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein, who offered the most detailed picture yet of investment initiatives coming in the 2021 budget request. Savings ...