WASHINGTON -- Hard times always reveal true friends, and it will also show what a strong alliance looks like. From the beginning of the COVID-19 global pandemic, U.S. Forces Korea has been working with local national agencies and organizations in South Korea to form a united front in the fight...

WASHINGTON -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III gave marching orders to the China Task Force today.The task force, led by Ely Ratner, is engaged in a sprint to identify priorities for the Defense Department with regards to the near-peer, Asian competitor, Pentagon Press Secretary John F...

YOKOSUKA, Japan -- Commander, Naval Surface Forces awarded forward-deployed, Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Barry (DDG 52) the 2020 Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Bloodhound Award for the Pacific Fleet, Feb. 22.The ASW Bloodhound Award is presented annually to one Pacific Fleet and...

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- A mass casualty exercise was conducted at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 10, 2021 as part of Cope North 2021. Members from the 36th Medical Group worked alongside the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, or Koku-Jieitai, Royal Australian Air Force, 624th Aerospace...

KUALA, Lumpur -- Ambassador Brian McFeeters, the new U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia, arrived in Kuala Lumpur the evening of Friday, February 26, 2021. The Ambassador is pleased to be returning to Malaysia, where he previously served at the U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur as the Political Counselor from...

WASHINGTON -- The Defense Department has identified hypersonics as one of the highest priority modernization areas, as Russia and China develop their own capable systems.Hypersonic systems are able to travel on extended flights within the upper atmosphere — 80,000 to 200,000 feet — at speeds near...

WASHINGTON -- Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby provided the following readout:Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and New Zealand Minister of Defence Peeni Henare spoke today to reaffirm the enduring strength of the U.S.-New Zealand relationship.Secretary Austin and Minister Henare...

SANTA RITA, Guam -- The Spanish Navy training ship Juan Sebastian De Elcano arrived at Apra Harbor at U.S. Naval Base Guam (NBG) Feb. 26. The Elcano was greeted by Commander, Joint Region Marianas Rear Adm. John Menoni, Guam Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero and Lt. Gov. Joshua Tenorio.The Elcano's visit...

PACIFIC OCEAN -- Leadership from the U.S. Navy visited USS Nimitz (CVN) 68 at sea Feb. 24 and 25.Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Russell Smith visited the 46-year-old carrier and met with Sailors and Marines to personally thank them for their...

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- From earthquakes, avalanches and blizzards to months of extended darkness, life in the Arctic presents unique challenges, leaving some service members questioning why Alaska is so important to the Department of Defense.Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson’s...