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New Defense Secretary arrives at Pentagon, convenes COVID meeting
January 22, 2021 — Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III arrived at the Pentagon Jan. 22 and hit the ground running, greeting the senior staff and then immediately heading into meetings on combating coronavirus... MORE

Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III stands next to a man holding up his right hand facing another man.

Service members, civilians bound by DOD rules during election campaigns
September 8, 2020 — Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper's latest ethics message lays out the importance of political activity rules that Department of Defense civilian employees and service members must follow. ... MORE

James Brady, 14th Force Support Squadron community readiness specialist and installation voting assistance officer, talks with Air Force Staff Sgt. Cory Henning, 14th Civil Engineer Squadron, during Armed Forces Voters Week in the base exchange on Columbus Air Force Base, Miss., June 27, 2018. Though federal election years have a large effect on the voting community and activity, elections are happening across the country every year.

Trump, Esper, Milley commemorate WWII victory in Europe
May 8, 2020 — President Donald J. Trump; Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper; and Army Gen. Mark A. Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the World War II Memorial in Washington to commemorate Victory in Europe Day... MORE

The United States joins other nations in celebrating V-E Day, the official surrender of Nazi Germany on May 8, 1945, marking the end of the war in Europe during World War II.

Defense Secretary lists DOD's top priorities during COVID-19 pandemic
March 25, 2020 — Protecting the Defense Department's people, maintaining military readiness and supporting the whole-of-government interagency response are DOD's top three priorities amid the coronavirus pandemic, Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper said March 24. ... MORE

DOD halts travel to, from COVID-19 affected countries
March 12, 2020 — In response to the growing coronavirus epidemic, Department of Defense officials are looking to safeguard the health and safety of military and civilian personnel and their families... MORE

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said that the coronavirus, named 2019-nCoV, is similar to the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus in that it is spread from animals to people. The MERS virus particles are in blue, surrounding an infected cell. The undated image was taken at Fort Detrick, Maryland.

DOD makes plans to combat coronavirus
March 3, 2020 — Defense Department civilian and military leaders are working to ensure the department is ready for short- and long-term scenarios, as well as domestic and international situations... MORE

Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Mark A. Milley speak to reporters at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., March 2.

Afghan, U.S., NATO officials call declaration a path for peace
March 2, 2020 — Under an agreement signed in Doha, Qatar, all foreign troops may be out of Afghanistan in 14 months, officials said in the Afghan capital of Kabul... MORE

Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper and two other civilians walk on a red carpet.

Military Housing Privatization Initiative Tenant Bill of Rights signed
February 27, 2020 — Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper, Secretary of the Army Ryan D. McCarthy, Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas B. Modly and Secretary of the Air Force Barbara M. Barrett have signed the Military Housing Privatization Initiative Tenant Bill of Rights... MORE

Mattis welcomes new SecAF home
May 17, 2017 — Defense Secretary Jim Mattis ceremoniously swore in Heather Wilson as the 24th Secretary of the Air Force at the Pentagon May 16, 2017... MORE

Newly sworn Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson thanks family, friends and colleagues during her ceremonial oath of office as the 24th Air Force secretary, at the Pentagon event, May 16, 2017. (U.S. Air Force photo/Wayne A. Clark)