Senior leaders from the uniformed services’ reserve component branches spoke out in favor of aligning pay and benefits within their organizations during a House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense budget hearing.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III told lawmakers the DOD budget request centers on defending the nation, taking care of service members and their families, and strengthening relationships with like-minded U.S. partners and allies.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III plans to meet with key regional allies in Hawaii and preside over the change of command ceremony for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.
A temporary pier the Defense Department is constructing off the Gazan coast to deliver humanitarian aid is on track to establish initial operations soon, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said the $95 billion security supplemental bill recently signed into law is already providing benefit to Ukraine, which has for two years now been fighting off an illegal invasion by Russia.
Once the pier is completed, it will initially facilitate the delivery of an estimated 90 truckloads of international aid into Gaza and scale to up to 150 truckloads once fully operational.
The 21st meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, which the Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III will host virtually from the Pentagon, comes amid a renewed fervor with Congress’ recent passing of the $95 billion national security supplemental measure.
Defense officials said the Ukraine Defense Contact Group continues to identify and deliver solutions for Ukraine’s most pressing requirements in key capability areas — including ground-based, long-range fires; air defense systems; and maintenance and sustainment.
