JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Soldiers of the Alaska Army National Guard Medical Detachment hosted a COVID-19 vaccination drive Jan. 24, 2021, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) as part of ongoing efforts to vaccinate the force.Dozens of Soldiers made their way to the JBER...

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Alaska Air National Guardsmen of 176th Wing participated in the Operation Noble Defender search-and-rescue/personnel recovery (SAR/PR) exercise Jan. 19 to 22, 2021, in Southcentral Alaska.Noble Defender is a North American Aerospace Defense Command Arctic...

OKINAWA, Japan -- The week-long competition tested jungle survival skills, basic infantry tactics, and excellence in weapons handling. As told by the squad leader and team leader, from the individual to squad level everybody’s physical and mental limits were tested but with strong leadership and...

WASHINGTON -- Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III arrived at the Pentagon today and hit the ground running, greeting the senior staff and then immediately heading into meetings on combating the coronavirus.The Senate confirmed Austin at 11 a.m.; the vote was 93-2. He arrived at the Pentagon around...

WASHINGTON -- Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby provided the following readout:Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Republic of Korea (ROK) Minister of National Defense Suh Wook today to reaffirm the ironclad U.S.-ROK Alliance and emphasize the importance of close cooperation...

WASHINGTON -- Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby provided the following readout:Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi today, reiterating American commitment to the U.S.-Japan Alliance and emphasizing its importance to the peace and security of the...

SOUTH CHINA SEA -- The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (TRCSG) entered the South China Sea January 23 to conduct routine operations.The TRCSG is on a scheduled deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet to ensure freedom of the seas, build partnerships that foster maritime security, and conduct a wide...

ARLINGTON, Va. -- The Army recently completed a new Arctic strategy that aims to protect assets in the region as it continues to recalibrate its forces around the world to deter near-peer adversaries.Chief of Staff Gen. James C. McConville said Tuesday the strategy mainly focuses on Alaska and could...

U.S. Embassy in Nepal -- U.S. Ambassador to Nepal Randy Berry met with Prime Minister K.P. Oli to discuss President Biden’s top priorities.  Ambassador Berry noted that the Biden administration wants to partner with Nepal and other countries to meet the common challenges that no single nation can...

YOKOSUKA, Japan – Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet Vice Adm. Bill Merz hosted a virtual Fleet Commander’s Roundtable (FCRT) from the 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) Jan. 20, with naval leaders from across the Indo-Pacific to discuss maritime issues, laws and norms.The FCRT included Commander...