Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke yesterday and today with several service members from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces to wish them a Happy Thanksgiving.

During the conversations, Secretary Austin expressed his deep gratitude to the service members and their families for their unwavering dedication and sacrifice in defense of the nation. He commended their critical role in ensuring the safety and security of the United States, as well as their continued commitment to supporting America's allies and partners around the globe. Secretary Austin acknowledged the professionalism and integrity with which they carry out their duties, recognizing the vital contributions they make every day in service to the country.

Secretary Austin spoke with service members from the following units:

• 2^nd Battalion, 12^th Cavalry Regiment. Soldiers from this unit are deployed in Poland to deter Russian aggression and support NATO allies in the U.S. European Command.
• Combat Logistics Battalion 31. This Marine Corps unit is deployed to Camp Hansen, Okinawa, supporting combat logistics within the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.
• USS Stockdale (DDG 106). This Navy unit is deployed in the Fifth Fleet Area of Responsibility supporting operations in U.S. Central Command.
• 379^th Expeditionary Medical Squadron. These airmen are deployed at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, delivering care to service members in U.S. Central Command.
• 4^th Space Operations Squadron. This unit is stationed at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado, operating the U.S. Space Force’s protected Military Satellite Communications system.