NEW: @SecDef Lloyd Austin convening 1st meeting of the #China Task Force
Per @PentagonPresSec, meeting involves 20 top military & civilians leaders, intel officials
Goal is to "formalize the mission, timing & outputs", he says "Much of their findings will be classified"
Per @PentagonPresSec, meeting involves 20 top military & civilians leaders, intel officials
Goal is to "formalize the mission, timing & outputs", he says "Much of their findings will be classified"
NEW: @DeptofDefense assessment on strike vs site in #Syria used by #Iran backed militias killed so far finds 1 militia member likely killed, 2 wounded, per @PentagonPresSec
NEW: @DeptofDefense announces $125 million package to #Ukraine to provide training, assistance & advice & to improve communications w/@NATO per @PentagonPresSec
Pkg includes lethal defense weapons
More details to come later today, he says
Pkg includes lethal defense weapons
More details to come later today, he says
US global posture review should be completed my mid-year, per @PentagonPresSec
No update on review of US-#Taliban deal & #Afghanistan
No update on review of US-#Taliban deal & #Afghanistan
#Extremism in the military: "We have to assume some people are being radicalized after they come in" per @PentagonPresSec, adding it is something the services are looking at, as well as identifying extremists among potential recruits
#COVID19 vaccine-@DeptofDefense rates: "They're not staying on the shelf very long" per @PentagonPresSec "We get them [vaccine dosages] & we're putting them into arms"
Kirby adds DoD expects to start getting the single dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine in the next week or so
Kirby adds DoD expects to start getting the single dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine in the next week or so
MORE: on $125 million package to #Ukraine
Per @PentagonPresSec it includes 2 patrol boats, plus equipment and training
Per @PentagonPresSec it includes 2 patrol boats, plus equipment and training
#Yemen-#SaudiArabia: "We know the #Houthis are continuing to receive support form #Iran" per @PentagonPresSec
JUST IN: Details on the new $125 million US assistance package "to help #Ukraine’s forces preserve the country’s territorial integrity, secure its borders, & improve interoperability w/@NATO" 
As @PentagonPresSec said earlier, the package includes 2, armed Mark IV patrol boats "to enhance #Ukraine’s capacity to patrol & defend its territorial waters"
This brings the total to 8 Mark IV patrol boats provided by the US
This brings the total to 8 Mark IV patrol boats provided by the US
Per @DeptofDefense, the package to #Ukraine also includes "capabilities to enhance the lethality, command & control, & situational awareness of Ukraine’s forces through the provision of additional counter-artillery radars & tactical equipment"
Per @DeptofDefense, aid is part of the $275 million allocated in the FY 2021 budget for #Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative
Pentagon says remaining $150 million in aid will be provided when it "certifies that Ukraine has made sufficient progress on key defense reforms"
Pentagon says remaining $150 million in aid will be provided when it "certifies that Ukraine has made sufficient progress on key defense reforms"
"With the Johnson & Johnson one [vaccine] that just got approved for emergency use authorization, that gives us a little bit more flexibility" per @PentagonPresSec
"Because it doesn't have the same refrigeration requirements and because it's a single dose vaccine w/equal effectiveness, it will give us additional flexibility to take care of or to provide it to deploying & deployed troops" per @PentagonPresSec on Johnson & Johnson #COVID vax
"We can't make these [service] members take the vaccine" per @PentagonPresSec noting it is still voluntary
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