Jan. 12, 2022

Audit of the Department of Defense Foreign Military Sales Acquisition Process (DODIG-2022-053)

WASHINGTON —

Publicly Released: January 14, 2022

The objective of this audit was to determine whether the DoD managed the acquisition of defense articles and services to meet partner country foreign military sales (FMS) requirements, and whether the metrics used by DoD components maximize the results of the FMS acquisition process. This audit focused on the timeliness of the DoD FMS acquisition process and the accuracy of FMS acquisition data that the DoD reported to Congress.

Chaplains from the U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne) and Canadian Army observe fellow Soldiers as they brief area assessments during their evaluated briefings at the Combined Religious Area Assessment and Chaplain Religious Leader Engagement training held November 16—19, 2021, at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.

Jan. 7, 2022

USACAPOC(A) and Canadian Chaplains train as more than prayer warriors

FORT JACKSON, SC — It was holy ground at the U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School here Nov. 16—19, 2021, as Chaplains, Chaplain Candidates, and Religious Affairs Specialists from across the U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne) arrived for the Combined Religious Area Assessment and Chaplain Religious Leader Engagement Exercise.

Two ships sail alongside each other at sea.

Jan. 5, 2022

Austin Looking Forward to Discussions With Japanese Counterpart

DOD NEWS — Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, joined by U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel, will meet virtually with Japanese Foreign Affairs Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa and Japanese Defense Minister Kishi Nobuo.

Virginia National Guard Members conduct medical exchange in Tajikistan

Jan. 5, 2022

Virginia National Guard Members conduct medical exchange in Tajikistan

DUSHANBE, Tajikistan — Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen conducted a medical exchange with the Republic of Tajikistan Dec. 6-10, 2021, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The exchange was conducted in support of the Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program, in which Virginia and Tajikistan have been partners since 2003.

Photo of Graduates of the inaugural PACK 2 training posing with PSCC personnel at the conclusion of the course.

Jan. 4, 2022

Department of Defense military packaging design training now available at Tobyhanna

Tobyhanna Army Depot, PA — The Army’s premier training for military packaging has a new home.

799,110 Pfizer Doses Arrive in Lao PDR

Jan. 4, 2022

799,110 Pfizer Doses Donated by the U.S. Arrive in Lao PDR

VIENTIANE, U.S. Embassy in Laos — Lao PDR received a new shipment of the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, Jan. 2, which is a donation by the United States through the COVAX Facility - a partnership co-led by Gavi, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), and the World Health Organization (WHO), with UNICEF as a key delivery partner.

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Jan. 4, 2022

Joint Command Post Exercise between the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) and U.S Army

CAMP ITAMI, JAPAN — The 206th Digital Liaison Detachment (DLD) supported the 25th Infantry Division (ID) by participating in the 40th annual Yama Sukura (YS) 81, the largest United States-Japan bilateral- and joint-command post exercise, here from 1-13 December.

Service members standing next to control panels and monitors.

Dec. 29, 2021

Building Institutional Capacity in the Ukrainian Armed Forces: Sustainment Planning for U.S.-Provided Equipment

JFQ 104 — Over a 3-year period (2017–2019), a combined team from U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and the Institute for Security Governance (ISG) worked closely with their Ukrainian counterparts to establish a simple but effective sustainment planning process, which provides comprehensive upkeep for U.S.-provided equipment. The 2019 DOD Sustainment Train, Advise, and Assist of Foreign Forces Award not only recognizes the important contribution made by ISG and USEUCOM to the UAF but also acknowledges that institutional capacity-building is a critical and effective security cooperation tool that DOD can employ to improve the capabilities of our strategic partners while meeting our own national security objectives.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Elijah Amendola, 1-102nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain), Task Force Iron Gray, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), assists a French service member with the 5th Overseas Interarms Regiment (5e RIAOM) on fixed rope techniques at the Arta Range Complex, Djibouti, Dec. 15, 2021. Five instructors from the U.S. Army Mountain Warfare School in Jericho, Vermont, taught a five-day Joint Expeditionary Mountain Warfare Course on basic military mountaineering skills to French service members in Djibouti to strengthen the relationships among the international forces working together in the region.

Dec. 21, 2021

Vermont Army Guard hosts mountain warfare course in Djibouti

CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti — Five U.S. Army Mountain Warfare School instructors with the Vermont Army National Guard traveled to Djibouti to teach a five-day Joint Expeditionary Mountain Warfare Course to service members from France’s 5th Overseas Interarms Regiment (5e RIAOM) at the Arta Range Complex Dec. 12-16.

US Army Reserve Soldiers support Guatemala, U.S. government efforts

Dec. 17, 2021

U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers support Guatemala, U.S. government efforts

Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras — U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers with Joint Task Force-Bravo deployed to Guatemala as part of Civil Affairs Teams 4741, 4742 and 4743 to support humanitarian assistance projects and strengthen partnerships in the region.

Croatian Service Members visit the Regional Training Site-Maintenance (RTS-M) at Camp Ripley, Minnesota, October 24, 2021

Dec. 16, 2021

U.S. offers Croatia Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala — Security assistance and foreign military sales cases provide capability to allies and partners that support regional and global operations, enable national territorial defense, and enhance interoperability and readiness.

Pennsylvania Army National Guard Maj. Gen. Mark Schindler, adjutant general, bids farewell to Lithuanian dignitaries after their visit to Fort Indiantown Gap Dec. 14, 2021. The visit was in support of the State Partnership Program and recognizes the 28-year partnership between Lithuania and Pennsylvania.

Dec. 15, 2021

Pennsylvania Guard leaders meet with Lithuanian partners

FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. — The Pennsylvania National Guard hosted Lithuanian dignitaries during a Dec. 14 visit as part of the National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program.

Two men stand on the top step outside a building between rows of service members. The sign on the building indicates that it is the Department of Defense.

Dec. 13, 2021

U.S., Lithuania Sign Agreement to Further Military Interoperability

WASHINGTON — Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III welcomed Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas to the Pentagon for meetings and to sign a reciprocal defense procurement agreement that aims to strengthen deterrence in Europe.

Members of the Project Delivery Team pose for a group photo to commemorate the completion of project CY13 ROKFC IN-KIND Bulk Fuel Storage Tanks and Pumps (OS031) after an Acceptance Release Letter ceremony in Pyeongtaek, Republic of Korea, Dec. 7.

Dec. 10, 2021

FED project OS031 complete

USAG HUMPHREYS, Republic of Korea — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Far East District commemorated the completion of project CY13 ROKFC IN-KIND Bulk Fuel Storage Tanks and Pumps (OS031), with an Acceptance Release Letter (ARL) ceremony in Pyeongtaek, Republic of Korea, Dec. 7.

A man speaks from a lectern during a briefing to a socially distanced audience.

Dec. 8, 2021

Small Arms, Ammunition From U.S. Headed to Ukraine's Defense Forces This Week

WASHINGTON — The final elements of a $60 million security systems package to Ukraine, meant to help defend their sovereignty against Russian aggression, will ship this week.

S. Army Soldiers from Bravo Battery, 2nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment system checks a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) launcher during routine start up procedures in the U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility.

Dec. 7, 2021

MATOC awarded with $990 million capacity

SAUDI ARABIA — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Middle East District awarded a Multiple Award Task Order Contract (MATOC) with a capacity of $990,000,000 to six Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) companies on Nov. 29, 2021.

M1117 vehicles arrive in Greece from the U.S.

Dec. 2, 2021

Ambassador Pyatt’s Remarks at the Arrival Ceremony of M1117 Armored Security Vehicles in Greece

GREECE — Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt provided remarks to at the arrival ceremony of M1117 Armored Security Vehicles in Greece, Dec. 2.

Sandy Long, Senior Advisor for Defense Exports in the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Defense Export and Cooperation, speaks at the inaugural Military Wheeled Vehicles Systems Summit in Alexandria, Va., Dec. 1, 2021.

Dec. 1, 2021

Long speaks at inaugural summit

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Sandy Long, Senior Advisor for Defense Exports in the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Defense Export and Cooperation, spoke at the inaugural Military Wheeled Vehicles Systems Summit in Alexandria, Va., Wednesday. 

Capt. Albert Aslani of the Kosovo Security Force and retired Chief Warrant Officer 5 Matthew Schultz of the Iowa National Guard share a moment at a dinner at the Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny, Iowa, Nov. 8, 2021. Iowa and Kosovo commemorated their 10-year formal partnership under the State Partnership Program.

Dec. 1, 2021

Iowa National Guard, Kosovo celebrate long partnership

DES MOINES, Iowa — It was a red carpet affair that resembled a family reunion. Kosovo Security Force members, Iowa National Guard leaders, dignitaries, and government officials gathered the evening of Nov. 6 in the extravagantly decorated Des Moines Area Community College ballroom in Ankeny.

Polish soldiers attended Idaho National Guard M1 Abrams tank training in October and November to observe best practices as Polish Land Forces seek to develop their own training capability.

Nov. 24, 2021

Polish Land Forces attend Idaho National Guard tank training

BOISE, Idaho — Polish soldiers attended Idaho National Guard M1 Abrams tank training in October and November to observe best practices as Polish Land Forces seek to develop their own training capability

Texas trip provides Peruvian Army delegation increased opportunities for interoperability, strengthen relationships

Nov. 23, 2021

Texas trip provides Peruvian Army delegation increased opportunities for interoperability

FORT HOOD, Texas — Emerging threats posed by narcotrafficking networks and the destructive aftermath of natural disasters have created security challenges for many nations in the Western Hemisphere. In an effort to defuse the threats and enhance security in the region, U.S. Army South’s engagements with strategic partners, such as the Peruvian Army, have provided opportunities to build stronger relationships.

Peruvian Army delegation observes III Corps Stryker unit with U.S. Army South

Nov. 23, 2021

Peruvian Army delegation observes III Corps Stryker unit with U.S. Army South

FORT HOOD, Texas — U.S. Army South Security Cooperation Directorate personnel escorted the Peruvian Army delegation to Fort Hood to observe U.S. Army Stryker units as part of an agreed-to-action deriving from the U.S.-Peruvian Army-to-Army Staff Talks.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Europe District Commander Col. Pat Dagon discusses ongoing parking lot improvement efforts with contractors on site on a plateau with office space at Longare, a mountainside military installation, during a visit to project sites at the installation October 4, 2021. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Europe District is managing a $30 million construction and renovation program primarily funded by U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command, U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa to provide the 207th MIB(T) improved facilities at the Longare and Caserma Ederle portions of U.S. Army Garrison Italy. (U.S. Army photo by Chris Gardner)

Nov. 23, 2021

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers modernizing facilities in support of 207th Military Intelligence Brigade (Theater) mission in Italy

LONGARE, Italy — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Europe District is partnering with U.S. Army Garrison Italy and the 207th Military Intelligence Brigade (Theater) to provide improved facilities here and nearby at the Caserma Ederle portion of the garrison as part of a roughly $30 million sustainment, repair and modernization, or SRM, program.

U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, is greeted with honors upon arrival to Colombia.

Nov. 19, 2021

SOUTHCOM Commander Visits Colombia

MIAMI — U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, wrapped up a three-day visit to Colombia where she met with military leaders to discuss security cooperation. The visit was Richardson’s first official trip to the region since assuming command Oct. 29.

U.S. Soldier Capt. Matthew Gomberg, assigned to the Michigan National Guard, provides emergency medicine mentorship to members of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) at 14 Military Hospital in Latvia.

Nov. 16, 2021

Michigan National Guard provides emergency medicine mentoring

MONROVIA, Liberia — In October, the U.S. Army National Guard members from Michigan provided emergency medicine mentorship at 14 Military Hospital. This exchange is part of the U.S. Embassy’s investment in security assistance for Liberia, helping to rebuild the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL)’s capabilities and enhance regional security.