Defense.gov

Department of Defense

News

Robert S. Karem, assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs; Marine Corps Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, commander of U.S. Africa Command; and Army Maj. Gen. Roger L. Cloutier Jr., chief of staff for U.S. Africa Command and lead investigating officer of the Oct. 4, 2017, ambush in Niger, brief reporters at the Pentagon, May 10, 2018.

Africom Chief Details Changes Made to Mitigate Risks After Niger Attack The incident in Niger on Oct. 4, 2017, that resulted in the deaths of four U.S. soldiers and wounding of two more have resulted in changes and adjustments to how U.S. forces are employed in Africa, the commander of U.S. Africa Command told Pentagon reporters. Story | Transcript | Full Event | Summary | Statement | Flickr Album | Special Report

Investigation Results Terrorist Ambush in Niger

Niger Report Highlights Bravery of U.S. Troops, Notes Training, Planning Deficiencies American special operations forces fought valiantly against overwhelming odds in the battle against Islamic State of Iraq and Syria terrorists outside Tongo Tongo, Niger, and while a number of factors contributed to the clash, no single factor within the control of U.S. forces caused the deaths of four U.S. Army soldiers and four Nigeriens, a military investigation has concluded. Story | Transcript | Full Event | Summary | Statement | Flickr Album | Special Report

Investigative Process Looks to Get Ground Truth to Leaders The U.S. military is a learning and growing organization. Finding out what happens when tragedies or accidents occur is a priority for the Defense Department and the combatant commanders, Pentagon officials said, and the results can also affect interagency and international partners. Story | Transcript | Full Event | Summary | Statement | Flickr Album | Special Report

Army Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti, the commander of U.S. European Command and NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, speaks at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., where he received the Atlantic Council Distinguished Military Leadership Award, May 11, 2018.

Eucom Commander Calls for Unity, Resolve to Defend Strong, Free Europe Army Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti, NATO’s supreme allied commander for Europe and the commander of U.S. European Command, was recognized by the Atlantic Council with its Distinguished Military Leader Award. Story | Special Report

Syrian Democratic Forces Return Fire in Self-Defense Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported that Syrian Democratic Forces returned fire at an unidentified aggressor near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria. Story | Special Report

Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick M. Shanahan shakes hands with Spirit of Service award recipients being recognized for their contribution to the Defense Department during a ceremony at the Pentagon, May 10, 2018. The awards ceremony is part of the annual Public Service Recognition Week. DoD photo by Army Sgt. Amber I. Smith

Spirit of Service Award Ceremony Honors Civilian Employees Defense leaders honored 26 DoD employees for inspiring and exemplary work with the 2018 Spirit of Service Award during a ceremony at the Pentagon. Story

Two Air Force F-15 Eagles deploy flares after receiving fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker during a mission supporting Operation Inherent Resolve over Iraq, May 5, 2018. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Keith James

National Defense Strategy to Restore Competitive Edge, Mattis Tells Senate In the 15 months since he assumed office, the Defense Department has made steady progress in a number of areas, Defense Secretary James N. Mattis told the Senate Appropriations committee panel on defense on Capitol Hill. Story | Full Event | Flickr Album | Special Report

Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, testifies on the 2019 Defense Department budget request on Capitol Hill, May 9, 2018. Screenshot via defense.gov

Fiscal ’19 Budget Request Will Restore U.S. Military, Dunford Says The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff assured a Senate Appropriations Committee panel that the U.S. military retains a competitive advantage over any potential adversary. Story | Full Event | Flickr Album | Special Report

President Donald J. Trump delivers remarks at the Celebration of Military Mothers and Spouses event at the White House, May 9, 2018.

President Signs Executive Order for Military Spouse Employment President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump invited military mothers and spouses to the White House in honor of Mother’s Day, and the president signed an executive order to help military spouses find work more easily in the private and federal sectors. Story | Full Event | Special Report

Topics

Face of Defense

A soldier tries on a protective suit with helmet.

Soldier Overcomes Obstacles to Achieve Success From humble beginnings, Army Command Sgt. Maj. Jacinto Garza has sought opportunities to improve himself and striven to be a good leader and mentor for his soldiers during his 22-year military career. Story

Military Health

Army 1st Lt. Lizamara Bedolla, staff nurse at William Beaumont Army Medical Center’s surgical ward, stands in one of her unit’s inpatient rooms at Fort Bliss, Texas.

Army Nurses Describe Paths to Service Two Army nurses traveled down very different paths to their medical profession. One came from humble beginnings in a war-torn Central America and the other wanted to follow in the footsteps of her sisters and become a nurse. Story

Innovation

Coast Guard Academy cadets test out their new rescue basket design

Coast Guard Cadets Redesign Rescue Basket Coast Guard Academy cadets studying mechanical engineering here have been prototyping a new and improved rescue basket, which could revolutionize the way the Coast Guard conducts search and rescue missions with MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters. Story

Special Reports