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Us Defence Secretary

Pentagon drops Covid-19 vaccine mandate for troops; new memo for deployment

The Pentagon formally dropped its COVID-19 vaccination mandate Tuesday, but a new memo signed by Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin also gives commanders some discretion in how or whether to deploy troops who are not vaccinated. Austin's memo has been widely anticipated ever since legislation signed into law on December 23 gave him 30 days to rescind the mandate. The Defence Department had already stopped all related personnel actions, such as discharging troops who refused the shot. "The Department will continue to promote and encourage COVID-19 vaccination for all service members," Austin said in the memo. "Vaccination enhances operational readiness and protects the force." Austin said that commanders have the authority to maintain unit readiness and a healthy force. He added, however, that other department policies including mandates for other vaccines remain in place. That includes, he said, the ability of commanders to consider, as appropriate, the individual immunization status

Updated On : 11 Jan 2023 | 9:03 AM IST

US, Japan to hold Security Consultative Committee meet on Jan 11: Ned Price

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin will co-host the 2023 US-Japan Security Consultative Committee meeting with Japanese counterparts on January 11

Updated On : 06 Jan 2023 | 10:58 AM IST

India, US express need to boost defence ties amid rising global challenges

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin on Monday agreed that the global situation this year has become more challenging, especially due to the challenges in the Indo-Pacific, and underscored the need to further strengthen the bilateral relationship, in particular the defence ties. The remarks came amidst China's increasingly intimidatory behaviour in the region. Jaishankar is here in the American Capital for bilateral consultations with several US Cabinet ministers, including his counterpart Secretary of State Antony Blinken. I do share with you that the global situation has become far more challenging this year (due to) a variety of reasons, the Indo-Pacific in particular," Jaishankar said in his opening remarks at the top of his meeting with Austin at the Pentagon here. "It's important that the stability, security and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific should be secured. That is best done amongst others by cooperation between two countries," he .

Updated On : 27 Sep 2022 | 7:16 AM IST

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin positive for Covid for second time

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Monday he has tested positive for Covid-19 and is experiencing mild symptoms and will quarantine at home

Updated On : 16 Aug 2022 | 6:44 AM IST

Former US Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld dies at 88 in New Mexico

Former US Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld, who oversaw the Iraq war and the US invasion of Afghanistan, died at the age of 88 on Wednesday

Updated On : 01 Jul 2022 | 1:45 PM IST

US defence secretary urges united front in Asia to stop repeat of Ukraine

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin vowed to help Asian nations push back against Chinese "bullying," describing the efforts as necessary to prevent a repeat of the Ukraine crisis in the Pacific

Updated On : 11 Jun 2022 | 11:31 AM IST

US approves ammunition sale to Ukraine citing 'emergency' situation

The sale, according to the statement, is "in the national security interests of the United States, thereby waiving the Congressional review requirements" under federal law, Xinhua news agency reported

Updated On : 27 Apr 2022 | 9:22 AM IST

US Defense Secy, Rajnath Singh discuss China, Russia at Pentagon

Singh said, "I am positive that our visit here shall take India- U.S. comprehensive strategic partnership to the next level."

Updated On : 12 Apr 2022 | 6:36 AM IST

Biden values strong partnership with India: US Defence Secretary Austin

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, held a virtual meeting with United States President Joe Biden

Updated On : 12 Apr 2022 | 6:26 AM IST

Defence Secretary Austin interacts with Ukrainian troops training in US

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J Austin III on Sunday spoke to the Ukrainian troops training in the United States who are returning home.

Updated On : 11 Apr 2022 | 6:50 AM IST

Russia 'poised to strike' Ukraine, says US defense secretary

Lloyd Austin warned Moscow could move on Ukraine at any time and he listed the kinds of military capabilities that Russia has massed and repositioned near Ukraine

Updated On : 19 Feb 2022 | 8:23 PM IST

US defence chief to hold trilateral security talks with Japan, South Korea

US Secretary of Defence Lloyd. J. Austin III spoke with Republic of Korea (ROK) Minister of National Defence Suh Wook and Japanese Defence Minister Kishi Nobuo

Updated On : 10 Feb 2022 | 8:21 AM IST

USA's Lloyd Austin eyes international response to Russia on Ukraine

Defense Secretary urges Moscow to be transparent about its military buildup.

Updated On : 02 Dec 2021 | 11:27 AM IST

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh speaks to US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday spoke to his American counterpart Lloyd Austin during which they discussed bilateral defence cooperation and the situation in Afghanistan. Describing the conversation as "warm", Singh said it was agreed to continue with the "useful dialogue" and to strengthening the India-US partnership further. "Had a warm telephone conversation with @SecDef Mr Lloyd Austin. We discussed issues pertaining to bilateral defence cooperation & regional matters including situation in Afghanistan," the defence minister said. "We agreed to continue the useful dialogue & look forward to strengthening the partnership further," he said. The conversation came ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US this week.